Broncs score narrow winThe Cody Broncs were able to hold a slim but persistent lead throughout much of the night on their way to a 42-38 win over Powell in boys' high school basketball action on Friday.“I was proud of our kids and how hard they played and competed,” said Panther head coach Mike Heny. “We simply need to do a better job of not turning the ball over when there isn't much defensive pressure. We had too many empty possessions at key times of the game.”A sluggish first half by both clubs saw Cody carry a 22-16 lead into halftime. The Broncs had a 6-0 run to begin the second half to carry the lead to a dozen, but managed just a free throw after that as the Panthers chipped away throughout the third quarter. The Panthers were within two as the fourth quarter opened, but Cody was able to extend back to a five point lead. Free throws by Billy Harshman and Chase Partridge kept Powell within striking distance, but each time the Broncs were able to find an answer to take the lead back to two possessions. With 80 seconds remaining, David Starcevich hit a layup and drew contact for a conventional 3-point play to pull the team within 38-35. Zane Bushnell hit the first of two foul shots 20 seconds later to trim Cody's lead to two points before one of the game's key possessions occurred. After missing on a pair of free throws, the Broncs were able to pull down an offensive rebound, re-earning their way to the charity stripe when the Panthers intentionally fouled. This time, the Broncs hit one of the two shots to go back in front by three. Starcevich missed a 3-point attempt that could have tied the game and was forced to foul, giving Cody the chance to hit two more free throws. Josh Cragoe added a bucket under the basket on Powell's next possession, but the Broncs iced the game by hitting one of two free throws to give the game its final score. “We allowed Cody too many offensive rebounds after forcing them to take tough shots,” Heny said. “They had a possession in the second half when they got three offensive rebounds in a row and finally scored and that was a backbreaker for us. Our defense did a good job of forcing turnovers, but we aren't capitalizing on those mistakes as much as we could.”The Panthers finished the night with just 17 rebounds as Chase Partridge hauled down seven of those. Cooper Wise forced five steals and also dished out three assists, as did Starcevich. Starcevich also finished as the Panthers' top scorer, tallying nine points. Harshman added eight points and Cragoe seven as Powell balanced the scoring load for the night. “We need to continue to work to get good shots earlier in possessions so that we can put more pressure on the other team's defense,” Heny said. “At times, we were a little stagnant offensively, and that allowed Cody to settle in on that end of the floor. We need to be better at attacking the other team before they can get organized on defense.”The Panthers, 2-10 for the season, return to action Friday night at Worland. The team also hosts Lovell on Saturday. Both games are scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off. Cody 42, Powell 38Individual scoring: David Starcevich 9, Cooper Wise 2, Zane Bushnell 1, Josh Cragoe 7, Regan Soloai 4, A.J. Anderson 2, Billy Harshman 8, Chase Partridge 5. Team leaders: Partridge (7 rebounds), Wise (5 steals, 3 assists), Starcevich (3 assists), Soloai (1 blocked shot).

Broncs score narrow win

The Cody Broncs were able to hold a slim but persistent lead throughout much of the night on their way to a 42-38 win over Powell in boys' high school basketball action on Friday.

“I was proud of our kids and how hard they played and competed,” said Panther head coach Mike Heny. “We simply need to do a better job of not turning the ball over when there isn't much defensive pressure. We had too many empty possessions at key times of the game.”

A sluggish first half by both clubs saw Cody carry a 22-16 lead into halftime. The Broncs had a 6-0 run to begin the second half to carry the lead to a dozen, but managed just a free throw after that as the Panthers chipped away throughout the third quarter.

The Panthers were within two as the fourth quarter opened, but Cody was able to extend back to a five point lead.

Free throws by Billy Harshman and Chase Partridge kept Powell within striking distance, but each time the Broncs were able to find an answer to take the lead back to two possessions.

With 80 seconds remaining, David Starcevich hit a layup and drew contact for a conventional 3-point play to pull the team within 38-35. Zane Bushnell hit the first of two foul shots 20 seconds later to trim Cody's lead to two points before one of the game's key possessions occurred.

After missing on a pair of free throws, the Broncs were able to pull down an offensive rebound, re-earning their way to the charity stripe when the Panthers intentionally fouled. This time, the Broncs hit one of the two shots to go back in front by three.

Starcevich missed a 3-point attempt that could have tied the game and was forced to foul, giving Cody the chance to hit two more free throws. Josh Cragoe added a bucket under the basket on Powell's next possession, but the Broncs iced the game by hitting one of two free throws to give the game its final score.

“We allowed Cody too many offensive rebounds after forcing them to take tough shots,” Heny said. “They had a possession in the second half when they got three offensive rebounds in a row and finally scored and that was a backbreaker for us. Our defense did a good job of forcing turnovers, but we aren't capitalizing on those mistakes as much as we could.”

The Panthers finished the night with just 17 rebounds as Chase Partridge hauled down seven of those. Cooper Wise forced five steals and also dished out three assists, as did Starcevich.

Starcevich also finished as the Panthers' top scorer, tallying nine points. Harshman added eight points and Cragoe seven as Powell balanced the scoring load for the night.

“We need to continue to work to get good shots earlier in possessions so that we can put more pressure on the other team's defense,” Heny said. “At times, we were a little stagnant offensively, and that allowed Cody to settle in on that end of the floor. We need to be better at attacking the other team before they can get organized on defense.”

The Panthers, 2-10 for the season, return to action Friday night at Worland. The team also hosts Lovell on Saturday. Both games are scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.

Cody 42, Powell 38

Individual scoring: David Starcevich 9, Cooper Wise 2, Zane Bushnell 1, Josh Cragoe 7, Regan Soloai 4, A.J. Anderson 2, Billy Harshman 8, Chase Partridge 5.

Team leaders: Partridge (7 rebounds), Wise (5 steals, 3 assists), Starcevich (3 assists), Soloai (1 blocked shot).