The Eustis Boys basketball team won a nail-biter against Discovery in the regional quarterfinals of the Class 4A FHSAA Boys Basketball tournament. The Panthers battled with Discovery the entire way, and just when it looked like Discovery would pull the upset, Eustis came through with two clutch free throws.

The game was tied in the 1st quarter, 18-18. In the second quarter, Eustis played like the better team, but it was a close 4-point game at halftime, 38-34. Headed into the second half, Discovery once again stayed close to Eustis, and it was a 3-point game heading into the 4th quarter.

(Cornelius Hines lines up for the eventual game winning free-throws for Eustis. Hines was clutch down the stretch.)

Both teams played their hearts out, but the game would come down to the final seconds. With the clock ticking under 10 seconds to go, the game was tied at 76-76. Eustis had the ball, and Cornelius Hines ended up getting fouled, going to the free-throw line with just 6 seconds remaining.

Hines knocked down both shots, and Eustis ended up hanging on to win 78-76, moving on to the second round where the Panthers will travel to Palm Bay to take on the #2 seed Pirates.

It was the first home playoff game in the FHSAA playoffs for Eustis in 9 years. The game was loud, and the community showed up to support. Eustis now has the chance to possibly host a regional final game, but the scenarios are tricky.

Eustis will need to first beat Palm Bay and hope that The Villages can beat Lake Highland Prep. That would set up a district championship rematch between Eustis and The Villages, but this time it would be at Eustis High School. If Lake Highland Prep beats The Villages, Eustis would travel there instead. But the Panthers are focused on one thing, and that is winning their game on Tuesday night against Palm Bay.