Potomac came from behind to beat Hampton Roads 66-60 in the first round of the VIS VA State Tournament Wednesday night. The Panthers will travel to Charlottesville Thursday night to play St Anne's Belfield in the quarter finals.

Potomac was down 18 points in the second quarter. Hampton Roads was on the verge of putting the Panthers away on their home court. Potomac went on a run to cut the lead to 11 points by halftime at 42-31. The Panthers didn't have trouble scoring, they just had trouble stopping Hampton Roads from scoring. The Navigators hit six 3-pointers in the first half, and a total of 25 points in the second quarter. If Potomac didn't play defense and contest shots in the second half, the defending State Champions would be taking an early exit from the tournament.

Potomac did just that. The Panthers jumped all over Hampton Roads in the second half. They were a completely different team than the team that played the first half. Potomac held the Navigators to just six points in the third quarter and cut the lead to just one point at 48-47. PJ Miller completed his third 3-point play of the game to get things started. Cullen Hamilton added another 3-point play, and Daniel Rizk hit his third 3-pointer of the game.

The Panthers came out with the same intensity in the fourth quarter, holding Hampton Roads to just two points in the first four minutes, while building a ten point lead at 60-50. Hamilton, Miller, and Rizk each hit 3-pointers. Brian Freeman added a couple baskets, including a slam dunk to keep the momemtum swinging the Panther's way. Hampton Roads made a small run near the end of the game, but Potomac hit their last 4 free throws to advance to the next round.

Potomac was led by Miller with 22 points, followed by Freeman with 17 points and 14 rebounds, Rizk with 16 points, 6 assists, and 3 charges, and Hamilton with 11 points. Miller went over the 1,000 point mark for his career at Potomac, and was given a game ball.