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Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Elmore County guard Shelton Darnell (2) throws up a floater over Booker T. Washington Magnet defenders in ECHS' first sub-regional win in 25 years. The Panthers will face last season's state runner-up Sylacauga in the Regional round at Alabama State University on Feb. 19.

When the Elmore County Panthers started this boys basketball season, the goal was clearly set: win a first-round playoff game. The Panthers have made it out of the area tournament and even hosted the sub-regional round, but they hadn’t made it past that pesky first-round game since 1991. 

This season, after 25 long years, Elmore County is back in the Class 5A Regional Tournament.