The 18-year Panama head coach wishes he didn’t.

Leading Oppenheim-Ephratah/St. Johnsville by 4 in the closing seconds at then-Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena in 2019, it looked like the Panthers were on their way to the first state title game in program history.

Then disaster struck.

Panama senior Jack Sperry fouled O-E/S.J.’s Tyler Leon on a 3-point attempt with 2 seconds remaining.

The Panama boys basketball team celebrates after winning last weekend’s Class D Far West Regional over Section V Fillmore. Photo courtesy of Brynne Hinsdale

The fadeaway shot from the corner found nothing but the bottom of the net.

Leon sank the ensuing free throw and the teams went to overtime where the Wolfpack beat the Panthers 61-57.

Panama should have been playing for a state title.

“We’ve been on that big stage a couple of different times and found some creative ways to lose some big basketball games on that stage,” Nelson said. “Last time we were in Binghamton (we had) the infamous 4-point play.

“That’s the thing with this year, we are making amends for a lot of bad memories of the past,” Nelson added. “We were seeing some ghosts at Rush-Henrietta when we were down 12-3. It’s kind of a redemption year for me personally.”

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the state championships returned to Glens Falls in 2022. But the New York State Public High School Athletic Association final four is back in Binghamton this weekend for the first time since that fateful weekend six years ago.

So are the Panthers.

Some of the last names remain the same as does the goal: the school’s first basketball state championship.

Nelson is in his final season as head coach, while Bryce Hinsdale and Alex Barmore — who had older brothers on the 2019 team — are seniors on this year’s squad.

“They grew up around it. Their parents send me pictures of them in Y league basketball games in third grade. This core group has been playing together for a long time,” Nelson said. “They’ve been playing together since they were in Pampers. These parents have put a big commitment into their kids. It’s definitely shown.”

Hinsdale and Barmore are joined in the starting lineup by three other seniors, including leading-scorer Carter Brink, Tate Catanese and Jordan Mescall.

Brink is averaging 23.8 points, 4.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game; Hinsdale averages 12.3 points, 4.6 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game; Barmore averages 9.4 rebounds and 8.5 points per game; Mescall averages 8.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game; and Catanese averages 8.4 rebounds and 5.7 points per game.

Panama will take on Section III’s Sackets Harbor in today’s 11:45 a.m. semifinal.

The Patriots beat Section IV’s Morris in their regional after winning the Syracuse-area title with a 53-44 victory over Madison.

“It was a little bit easier to find out about Sackets Harbor than Fillmore. I went to Binghamton Sunday and watched them play Morris. I watched Class D last year when they were in it and had my eyes on some guys,” Nelson said. “I’ve had my eye on them the whole time. Marcus Castine is a solid ballplayer and likes to get to the paint.

“We’ll lay the cards on the table and see what happens,” Nelson added.

Today’s 10 a.m. semifinal will feature Section XI’s Bridgehampton and Section II’s Loudonville Christian.

“That’s the thing about being a coach. Your mantra is to go 1-0 every single day. With playoffs you play one game and wait a week. You make it this far and you are back to back. We are definitely not looking past Sackets Harbor.”

Bridgehampton topped Section IX’s Eldred 71-41 in their regional championship game after a win over St. Pius in their sectional final.

Loudonville Christian beat Section X’s Harrisville 38-36 in their regional final after a 54-36 win over Germantown in their sectional final.

“You have to get a little bit of intel on the other two teams so you aren’t sitting blind if you do happen to be successful on Friday,” Nelson said. “We’ve done our homework and we’re still doing homework as we speak.”

The Class D final is set for 6 p.m. Saturday.

“It’s kind of bittersweet. We talked about it (Wednesday), (Thursday) will be our last basketball practice in the Panama gym. These guys have been in there since eighth grade. They’ve put in a lot of blood sweat and tears,” Nelson said. “You can’t guarantee you’ll be successful, but you can deserve it. Hopefully we’ve done our part to come out and be successful this weekend.”