Down 15 to the defending Class Kansas 6A champ and No. 3 team in Kansas City?

Just a bigger mountain to climb and conquer for Park Hill South.

The Panthers, No. 20 in the 810 Varsity Top 25, rallied from an early 26-11 hole and a double-digit deficit in the third quarter for an impressive 56-52 comeback win over the Huskies in Game 6 of the 810 Varsity Showcase, Session I on Saturday at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

"Our effort got better after we got in the hole, and this win can go a long way in showing what we can do, regardless of the score," Park Hill South coach Dan Parra said.

For much of the first half and third quarter, Park Hill South toggled with getting to within 12 or 9, after finding itself down by 15 early. Then the comeback got serious when star guard Lamel Robinson grabbed a BV Northwest missed, darted down the court for a layup and free throw on the three-point play to get to 42-36 with :52.4 in the period. Robinson finished with a team-high 17 points for the Panthers, now 9-3.

Down six to start the fourth, Park Hill South connected on a three, then Robinson hit one from behind the arc to knot the score at 44-4. Saadique Perkins followed with two free throws for a 46-44 lead with 6:08 in the game, the first time PHS held a lead.

Another pair of charity tosses boosted the edge to 48-44. Northwest's Joseph Pleasant was tooted for a charge, and the Panthers responded on a Dawson Owen 19-footer for a 50-44 margin.

Northwest's Sam Ward rained in a 23-footer to pull the Huskies to 50-47 with 4:28 left.B But another Owen bucket and two more Perkins free throws pushed the South lead to 53-47.

Parker Braun valiantly tried to rally the Huskies, with a bucket through the lane, and a three-pointer after a PHS turnover for 53-52 deficit with 1:52 left.

But Robinson went to work, pulling the ball out and driving through the left side for a pullup off the glass for a 55-52 lead with 1:08 left.

Northwest looked to tie twice, but two straight misses from behind the arc left South with the ball. Yet the Huskies forced a tieup to get the ball back. However, Robinson stole the ball from Ward and was fouled. But uncharacteristically missed both free throws. Northwest had one last chance, but a Christian Braun three-point attempt missed. Perkins then sealed the game with a free throw with :03.7 left.

"We had our chances. They just never quit and kept attacking," BVNW head coach Ed Fritz said.

Blue Valley Northwest drops to 3-2, and will face Blue Valley North next Friday, followed by Grandview in the 810 Varsity Showcase, Session II next Saturday at Lee's Summit High.