The Powell High School girls' basketball team wasted no time picking up where it left off last season, opening the season with three wins.“It was nice to have the girls come out ready to play and go right after it,” said PHS head coach Luke Danforth.In an out-of-conference tournament in Buffalo this weekend, the Lady Panthers took down Newcastle, 63-37, claimed a narrower 42-36 victory over Wheatland, and dominated Rawlins, 51-25.

“I thought it was a real balanced effort,” said Danforth. “We saw a lot of girls scoring and contributing.”

In all three games, the Lady Panthers jumped out to early leads and never looked back.

PHS shot the ball at a 42 percent rate in the three contests, while holding their opponents to 30 percent shooting.

Danforth said he was generally pleased with the team's overall work ethic and performance, but “at the same time, we saw things we need to work on.”

Specifically, the coach said PHS needs to work on its defense, become more patient on offense, and cut down on unforced turnovers.

“All three of those things you anticipate seeing at the beginning of the season,” he added.

Individually, “Savannah (Donarski) and Hannah (Pollart) picked up where they left off last year,” said Danforth.

Pollart registered a double-double in rebounding and scoring in all three games, while Donarski did so in two.

Coming off the bench, junior Olivia Rogers did a great job, said the coach.

“She's gotten stronger (since last season), she's more assertive,” Danforth said.

Danforth also praised the scoring of senior Katie Kipp — who hit double digits in two contests — and the rebounding and work of junior Leslie Thronburg.

Senior Kami Cooley led the team in assists over the weekend, dishing out seven against Newcastle.

“I thought she saw the floor real well,” said Danforth.

He also credited Cooley's defensive work, along with the defense of junior Shellie Williams.

Danforth noted that sophomores Kendra Ostrom and Emily Kath also “got their feet wet,” over the weekend, with both contributing rebounds to the team's winning efforts.

Against Newcastle, PHS was led in scoring by Donarski, who poured in 21 points and pulled down 15 rebounds. Pollart followed with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Also scoring were Kipp (10 points), Rogers (8), Thronburg (8 points and 9 rebounds), and Williams (2 points).

In Saturday's contest against Wheatland, Pollart led PHS with 15 points and 11 rebounds, with Donarski contributing 11 points and 13 rebounds. Behind them were Thronburg (7 points), Rogers (6) and Cooley (3).

Scoring for the Lady Panthers against Rawlins were Pollart (16 points, 10 rebounds), Kipp (11 points), Rogers (7), Donarski (6), Thronburg and Ostrom (4 each) and Cooley (3).

This weekend brings an early-season test at home — a 12:45 p.m. Saturday match-up with the Lady Broncs of Jackson, the three-time defending state champs. PHS was the only team to beat Jackson last year, doing so twice before falling in the Class 3A Championship game.

“Although there'll be some new names on the (Jackson) roster, they look a lot like they did last year,” said Danforth, adding, “I expect that to be a barnburner on Saturday morning.”

But before that contest, the Lady Panthers must battle the Lady Wranglers of Pinedale in a 5:45 p.m. Friday game.

Danforth said he expects to see an improved, more athletic Pinedale team in what will be the Lady Panther's first 3A Western Conference match-up.

“These are the games that count,” he said.