Powell Panther boys basketball coach Chase Kistler sees improved play from his team despite home losses to Cody (64-46) and Worland (66-43) on Friday and Saturday.

Powell’s record fell to 2-10.

“Thought we played well against the press over the weekend, and that has kind of been our nemesis,” said Kistler.

The Powell coach complimented Worland — “They are a good team and they are going to get better too as the season goes on,” he said — and its 6-6 center Cody Baumstarck. The Worland senior scored 30 points and grabbed 28 rebounds on Saturday.

Having seen Baumstarck play since his freshman year, Kistler said, “You can tell that kid has put in the work and got stronger and got more mobile.”

As a team, Powell had 30 rebounds, and T.J. Abraham led the Panthers with five boards, all defensive.

Sophomore Kaelan Groves was the leading scorer for Powell with 14 points, including three 3-point baskets.

Jace Smith led the team in assists with four, and Dalton Woodward had two steals.

“I thought as a team we improved,” said Kistler. “Our biggest downfall is free throws and turnovers. If we can get those things under control, we can probably play with almost 90 percent of the teams in the state.”

Powell converted only 31 percent of its free throws against Worland, while shooting 36 percent from the arc and 38 percent of other field goal tries.

“Usually the first and fourth quarters, free throw percentage is horrible,” said Kistler.

In the first half against Worland, missed free throws by Powell helped the Warriors to a 32-24 lead at intermission.

“Inexperience in young kids— it’s handling the pressure in those situations,” said Kistler, who said his team is dealing with a confidence issue.

Powell had 23 turnovers in the Worland game and has averaged 20.4 turnovers a game.

In Friday night’s loss to Cody, Powell played on even terms for most of three quarters.

“I thought for three quarters we played Cody really well,” said Kistler.

At halftime, Powell trailed Cody by 11 points, 33-22. With about three minutes left in the third quarter, Powell tied the game at 38.

“We were being patient on offense and getting the shots that we knocked down and kind of seemed to settle in terms of offensive game plan,” said Kistler.

A series of fouls then changed the momentum.

“We had one moment when emotions got the best of us,” said Kistler.

Powell drew eight straight foul calls, which included back-to-back offensive calls against Abraham to foul him out of the game. He received a technical for lifting his jersey above his ears after fouling out.

Amongst the fouls, Cody went on a 10-0 run that the Panthers couldn’t answer. Cody won 64-46.

Jace Smith, Groves and Abraham led Powell scoring with nine apiece.

This weekend the Panthers play at home again, hosting Pinedale Friday night at 7 p.m. and  Star Valley on Saturday at 4 p.m. Pinedale has a 10-2 record, and Star Valley is 2-10.