Begin with a heavy dose of 1-3-1 defense followed by ample helpings of offense from Drew Hind.

When mixed together, it was more than enough to send the top-seeded and defending state champions to a 57-33 victory over No. 5 Panama at the Physical Education Complex at Jamestown Community College.

The win advances the Cardinals (20-2) into the sectional title game at 7:45 p.m. Friday against No. 3 Westfield, which defeated No. 2 Frewsburg 57-56 in the second semifinal last night.

Given how Coach Kevin Hind’s crew played at both ends of the court, Randolph will be tough out, because the standing-room-only crowd was treated to a clinic last night.

Panama’s Carter Brink (11) shoots over Randolph’s Kevin McElwain during Tuesday’s Section VI Class C semifinal at Jamestown Community College. Photo courtesy of Steve Garvey

“It’s crazy, because a lot of teams don’t get this opportunity,” Drew Hind said. ” … It’s nice, it’s just exciting.”

The game was close for a quarter and a half. In fact, the Cardinals led only 10-9 after the first period and 17-15 with 5:30 remaining in the second.

After that, it was all Randolph.

For the next 101/2 minutes spanning portions of the second and third quarters, the Cardinals outscored Panama (20-3) 21-0, with 14 of those points coming from the ever-present Drew Hind.

“It seemed like three hours,” Panama coach Ed Nelson said of the scoring drought.

Drew Hind, who scored 22 points in the first half, put the ball in the hoop in every conceivable way.

Drives to the hoop? Check.

Putbacks? Check.

Floaters? Check.

Shots from beyond the arc? Check.

It was quite a display on the section’s biggest stage.

“They played us all man, and that’s his game against that,” Kevin Hind said of his son. “We put the ball in his hands and put shooters around him in isolation situations. … He was really, really good tonight.”

By the end of the third period, Randolph led 40-19 and the Panthers never got closer than 16 points the rest of the way.

Other than Drew Hind, no one on either team scored in double figures. Roan Kelly and Kevin McElwain both finished with 9 points for the Cardinals, while Jordan Mescall paced Panama with 9. The Panthers’ leading scorer, Carter Brink, was held to 5 points.

Panama does return all five starters next year, which should bode well for another deep postseason run.

“Panama is good,” Kevin Hind said, “and they’re going to (Class) D next year. They want to play us next year. That’s a good game for us and for them. … I love Ed Nelson. He’s a great coach. I have the utmost respect for them. I root for them. They’ll be back.”

Meanwhile, Randolph takes its experience and its 1-3-1 on to Friday night.

“That always frustrates teams,” Drew Hind said. “When you haven’t seen that kind of pressure and that kind of speed, it’s hard to adapt to in a big game like this especially.”

PANAMA (33)

Mescall 3 0 9, Hinsdale 2 0 6, Brink 2 0 5, Catanese 2 2 6, Horton 0 0 0, Spiesman 0 0 0, Barmore 3 1 7, Totals 12 3 33.

RANDOLPH (57)

Morrison 0 0 0, Kelly 4 0 9, Hind 15 2 34, Nelson 0 0 0, McElwain 3 0 9, Freeman 2 0 5, Huntington 0 0 0, Totals 24 2 57.

3-point goals — Mescall 3, Hinsdale 2, Brink, Kelly, Hind 2, McElwain 3, Freeman.

Panama 9 6 4 14 — 33

Randolph 10 19 11 17 — 57