Plano East senior Izan Qazi (15) pulls up for a jump shot during a District 6-6A boys basketball game against Prosper on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Qazi scored 24 points, but the Panthers lost 57-55 to Prosper. Photo by Roosevelt Joubert / C&S Media
By David Wolman
It was a tough night on the court for the Plano East boys and girls basketball teams on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
The Panther boys weren’t able to close out Prosper in a 57-55 home loss to Prosper in what was the District 6-6A opener for both teams.
Plano East led 51-45 with 5:11 remaining in the fourth quarter, thanks to some timely 3-point shooting from senior Izan Qazi. With senior forward DJ Hall, the Panthers’ leading scorer and rebounder, missing the game with an illness, Qazi stepped up and poured in a team-high 24 points.
However, Qazi’s offensive outburst wasn’t enough for Plano East.
Moustafa Abualneel tied the game with five second left on a short jump shot, but Prosper’s Michael Johnson drew a foul on the ensuing inbound play and hit two free throws with 1.9 seconds left to secure the victory for the Eagles.
The loss snapped a 50-game win streak for Plano East (10-1, 0-1). It was the first loss for the Panthers since a 66-63 setback to Lake Highlands on Feb. 24, 2023.
As for the Lady Panthers, they were unable to keep pace with Prosper in a 58-35 loss.
Prosper clung to a narrow 13-10 lead at the end of the first quarter before outscoring Plano East 45-25 over the remainder of the game to hand the Lady Panthers (11-6, 2-1) their first district loss.
Arianna Robinson scored 10 points to lead the cause for Plano East, followed by eight apiece from Grace McDonald and Kennedy Borders.
Plano East will look to bounce back this Friday at McKinney Boyd. The boys’ game will tip off at 5:30 p.m., followed by the boys’ game at 7.
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