PHS boys bested by Fremont County foes

Posted 1/24/17

Riverton is undefeated for the season with a 15-0 record. The Wolverines moved down to Class 3A from 4A this year and are one of two teams in the state to sport an undefeated record.

“They’re just a great team,” PHS head coach Chase Kistler …

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PHS boys bested by Fremont County foes

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Wolverines and tigers pick up conference wins

Conference play opened on a rough note for the Powell Panther boys basketball team, which absorbed losses to Riverton 82-37 on the road Friday and to Lander 76-55 at home Saturday.

Riverton is undefeated for the season with a 15-0 record. The Wolverines moved down to Class 3A from 4A this year and are one of two teams in the state to sport an undefeated record.

“They’re just a great team,” PHS head coach Chase Kistler said of Riverton. “Their starting five and their next five are just a complete team that can shoot the ball and pretty much do it all. That’s a little tough to defend and stop.”

With Powell’s season record falling to 2-8, Kistler is searching for answers. The Panthers stand in fourth place in the 3A West North Quadrant, and Kistler hinted some lineup changes may be in the cards.

“It’s trying to find five guys that won’t turn the ball over and put some points on the board,” the coach said.

In the Riverton game, two Powell players scored in double digits. Carson Heinen led with 13 and TJ Abraham had 11. The Panthers shot 31.4 percent for the contest (11 of 35) and 52.9 percent from the free throw line (9 of 17).

Heinen, Abraham, Kaelan Groves and Jace Smith each had a steal and Groves and Abraham each had two assists.

On Saturday against Lander, Powell stayed close for one period, trailing 20-14. However, the team found itself down 38-20 at the half after scoring only six points in the second quarter.

“It came down to us,” said Kistler of the 76-55 loss. “We struggled making our shots early in the game and dug too big a hole and couldn’t get out of it.”

In the third quarter, both teams scored 16 points, but in the fourth quarter, Lander outscored Powell 22-19. The Tigers cashed in from the free throw line after Powell piled up 10 fouls through three quarters. Six Panthers ended the game with four fouls.

Heinen led Powell scorers with 17, and Abraham had 16. Groves had 10 points which included the team’s only two 3-point baskets.

Abraham led in steals with two and in rebounds, collecting eight defensive and one offensive board.

Powell converted only two of 17 three-point attempts, but went 20 of 35 or 57.1 percent overall from 2-point range.

For the season, Powell has a total of 204 turnovers which is an average of 20.4 turnovers per game The Panthers are averaging 47 points a contest while the opponents have averaged 57.4 points a game.

“In terms of just stats and production, I’m going to try a new starting line up through the week,” said Kistler. “If it looks good, then I may go with it; if not, I’m going to stay with the same one.”

Kistler added that it is not just about points but also turnovers, rebounding and assists. He emphasized that the potential is there, with a good group of kids who work hard and don’t give up.

Of the 14 players on the varsity roster, six are sophomores, five are juniors and two are seniors.

The seniors are Paige Gann and Abraham, and Kistler said they have provided good senior leadership. He said Gann is a good calming force for the younger players, and Abraham is kind of the motor for the team.

This weekend, Powell plays another conference game, hosting Cody on Friday at 7 p.m. Cody is currently tied for second place with Lander with a 1-1 record within the Class 3A West North Quadrant.

On Saturday, Powell will stay at home to face Worland at 4 p.m.

Outside of Riverton, the only other undefeated team in the state is 2A Pine Bluffs, which sports a 13-0 overall record and is on a 37-game winning streak.

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