Murphy-Wall State Bank holds Panther Spirit Challenge at PCHS

Even though the PCHS Boys basketball game against Carterville, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 20, was cancelled, Murphy-Wall State Bank still held the Panther Spirit Challenge. Murphy-Wall State Bank And Trust Company employees, Joe Crawford, Claudia Choate, Shannon Owings and Candice Knight, along with PCHS Principal Dustin Foutch and Athletic Director/Head Boys Basketball Coach Bob Waggoner, conducted the challenge during the students' lunch hour.

The challenge would have taken place during Feb. 20's varsity game half-time, but inclement weather forced the high school to cancel. With the organizations already having posters made for the game and with at least one organization already qualified for the $500 bonus shoot, Murphy-Wall State Bank didn't want to disappoint the students.

The "Lunch Hour" Panther Spirit Challenge gave PCHS Cross Country the opportunity to win $100. Grant Jausel was the representative. He was given 45 seconds to make a lay-up, free throw, three-pointer and half-court shot. He was successful! This also qualified his group for the $500 bonus shoot. To qualify for the bonus shoot, the student has to have made their half-court shot. This year there were two qualifiers, both from the Cross Country Team- Layten McNew and Grant Jausel. They each received one attempt at another half-court shot. In front of their fellow students and teachers, they both came close, but ended up a little short of making the shot.

Murphy-Wall State Bank would like to thank the PCHS Administration, participating organizations and the students for showing their SPIRIT. This year's Panther Spirit Challenge gave $650 to PCHS organizations for their effort.