Panthers ready to show they belong in CasperEight teams will begin pursuit of the Class 3A title today (Thursday) at the Casper Events Center, and among those squads is the Powell High School Panthers.For the Panthers (13-11), their appearance at this week's state tournament, which also will be played at Casper College, is the first since the 2001-02 season, and they are looking to make the most of the opportunity. Powell enters the event as the No. 4 seed. They clinched their berth in Casper by defeating Worland 60-49 during a loser-out game last Saturday at the West Regional Tournament.Joining PHS in Casper are Kemmerer (No. 1 seed, 18-6), Lovell (No. 2 seed, 16-8) and Jackson (No. 3 seed, 12-14) from the West Conference and Buffalo (No. 1 seed, 19-4), Douglas (No. 2 seed, 17-9), Newcastle (No. 3 seed, 14-12) and Torrington (No. 4 seed, 13-12) from the East Conference.Despite being the lowest-seeded team from the west side of the state, the Panthers believe they are legitimate contenders for the Class 3A crown.“Overall, this group of players has enjoyed a lot of success in other sports,” said PHS head coach Troy Hildebrand. “A lot of them have been part of state championship teams in football and track, so they have an idea of what to expect. “They are excited about this opportunity to compete in the state tournament. Earning the trip to Casper was a great accomplishment for this group, but they want to do more. Just getting to Casper isn't good enough. They want to have more success.”Fueling the Panthers' belief they can leave Casper with a solid finish and possibly a championship is the fact they have played well against many of the state's top-tier teams. Having one of Class 3A's top-rated defensive squads doesn't hurt either.The high-scoring Worland Warriors, who failed to make the tournament, spent several weeks at No. 1 this year, and PHS was 2-1 against them. In those two victories, the Panthers held Worland well below its offensive output.The Kemmerer Rangers, who spent a considerable amount of time in the top spot, beat PHS twice in the regular season. In the first matchup, Kemmerer handled the Panthers with ease and notched a 55-29 decision. The next time around, however, PHS held a 20-point advantage before allowing the Rangers to come back for a 65-57 victory in overtime. PHS also has faced Buffalo, their first-round opponent in Casper, during a contest just before the Christmas break. Neither team played particularly well in that matchup, and the Bison, currently ranked No. 1 in Class 3A, walked away with an 11-point victory. PHS and Buffalo will square off again today (Thursday) in the Casper Events Center at noon.“Buffalo is a tough draw in the first round, but our guys believe they have a chance against them,” Hildebrand said. “Part of the reason for that is the fact that we played a lot of best teams and did well against them.”Hildebrand said the Bison, who have won 12 straight games, have a squad that relies more on setting up its offense and working for open shots. The Bison tend to stay away from the fast-paced attack that many teams implement. With the Panthers using a similar approach, Hildebrand said his squad will have to make the most of its scoring opportunities.“Good shot opportunities will probably be pretty hard to come by, so we need to hit them when we get them,” Hildebrand said. “We also have to do a good job rebounding, particularly on the offensive end. That's an area where Buffalo has been strong this season. We can't allow them to get a lot of second shots.”Should Powell defeat Buffalo, the Panthers will advance to the 7:30 p.m. game Friday, which will be played at Casper College. The opponent in that game will be the winner of the Lovell-Newcastle contest during the first round. The Panthers were 2-0 against Lovell in the regular season and hold a 1-0 mark against Newcastle.A setback against Buffalo would put PHS in the noon game Friday against the loser of the Lovell-Newcastle matchup.Leading the Panthers into the state tournament will be a number of seniors, including Jordan Brown and Ryan Brandt. Both players are tied for the team lead in scoring with 11.4 points per game. Brandt also is the Panthers' top rebounder with 8.3 boards per game.Matt McArthur, who Hildebrand commended for his strong play throughout the season, is averaging 10 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest. PHS also will be looking for solid performances from twin brothers Galen Mills and Gavin Mills. Galen Mills has scored 8.2 points and grabbed almost four rebounds per game, and his brother has been a key defender against many of the top players PHS has faced this season. Powell's last basketball championship came during the 1997-98 season under the direction of Ron Laird. Coincidentally, the Panthers won the championship game against Buffalo, the school PHS must face in the first round of the tournament.For a complete tournament bracket, visit www.whsaa.org.

Panthers ready to show they belong in Casper

Eight teams will begin pursuit of the Class 3A title today (Thursday) at the Casper Events Center, and among those squads is the Powell High School Panthers.

For the Panthers (13-11), their appearance at this week's state tournament, which also will be played at Casper College, is the first since the 2001-02 season, and they are looking to make the most of the opportunity.

Powell enters the event as the No. 4 seed. They clinched their berth in Casper by defeating Worland 60-49 during a loser-out game last Saturday at the West Regional Tournament.

Joining PHS in Casper are Kemmerer (No. 1 seed, 18-6), Lovell (No. 2 seed, 16-8) and Jackson (No. 3 seed, 12-14) from the West Conference and Buffalo (No. 1 seed, 19-4), Douglas (No. 2 seed, 17-9), Newcastle (No. 3 seed, 14-12) and Torrington (No. 4 seed, 13-12) from the East Conference.

Despite being the lowest-seeded team from the west side of the state, the Panthers believe they are legitimate contenders for the Class 3A crown.

“Overall, this group of players has enjoyed a lot of success in other sports,” said PHS head coach Troy Hildebrand. “A lot of them have been part of state championship teams in football and track, so they have an idea of what to expect.

“They are excited about this opportunity to compete in the state tournament. Earning the trip to Casper was a great accomplishment for this group, but they want to do more. Just getting to Casper isn't good enough. They want to have more success.”

Fueling the Panthers' belief they can leave Casper with a solid finish and possibly a championship is the fact they have played well against many of the state's top-tier teams. Having one of Class 3A's top-rated defensive squads doesn't hurt either.

The high-scoring Worland Warriors, who failed to make the tournament, spent several weeks at No. 1 this year, and PHS was 2-1 against them. In those two victories, the Panthers held Worland well below its offensive output.

The Kemmerer Rangers, who spent a considerable amount of time in the top spot, beat PHS twice in the regular season. In the first matchup, Kemmerer handled the Panthers with ease and notched a 55-29 decision. The next time around, however, PHS held a 20-point advantage before allowing the Rangers to come back for a 65-57 victory in overtime.

PHS also has faced Buffalo, their first-round opponent in Casper, during a contest just before the Christmas break. Neither team played particularly well in that matchup, and the Bison, currently ranked No. 1 in Class 3A, walked away with an 11-point victory. PHS and Buffalo will square off again today (Thursday) in the Casper Events Center at noon.

“Buffalo is a tough draw in the first round, but our guys believe they have a chance against them,” Hildebrand said. “Part of the reason for that is the fact that we played a lot of best teams and did well against them.”

Hildebrand said the Bison, who have won 12 straight games, have a squad that relies more on setting up its offense and working for open shots. The Bison tend to stay away from the fast-paced attack that many teams implement. With the Panthers using a similar approach, Hildebrand said his squad will have to make the most of its scoring opportunities.

“Good shot opportunities will probably be pretty hard to come by, so we need to hit them when we get them,” Hildebrand said. “We also have to do a good job rebounding, particularly on the offensive end. That's an area where Buffalo has been strong this season. We can't allow them to get a lot of second shots.”

Should Powell defeat Buffalo, the Panthers will advance to the 7:30 p.m. game Friday, which will be played at Casper College. The opponent in that game will be the winner of the Lovell-Newcastle contest during the first round. The Panthers were 2-0 against Lovell in the regular season and hold a 1-0 mark against Newcastle.

A setback against Buffalo would put PHS in the noon game Friday against the loser of the Lovell-Newcastle matchup.

Leading the Panthers into the state tournament will be a number of seniors, including Jordan Brown and Ryan Brandt. Both players are tied for the team lead in scoring with 11.4 points per game. Brandt also is the Panthers' top rebounder with 8.3 boards per game.

Matt McArthur, who Hildebrand commended for his strong play throughout the season, is averaging 10 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest.

PHS also will be looking for solid performances from twin brothers Galen Mills and Gavin Mills. Galen Mills has scored 8.2 points and grabbed almost four rebounds per game, and his brother has been a key defender against many of the top players PHS has faced this season.

Powell's last basketball championship came during the 1997-98 season under the direction of Ron Laird.

Coincidentally, the Panthers won the championship game against Buffalo, the school PHS must face in the first round of the tournament.

For a complete tournament bracket, visit www.whsaa.org.