Panthers efforts fall just short

Posted 2/15/22

Two tightly contested rematches greeted the Panthers girls basketball team as they returned home for the first time in three weeks. The Panthers (7-10 overall, 1-3 3A Northwest) lost both contests, …

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Panthers efforts fall just short

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Two tightly contested rematches greeted the Panthers girls basketball team as they returned home for the first time in three weeks. The Panthers (7-10 overall, 1-3 3A Northwest) lost both contests, losing to Buffalo 55-48 on Friday and 45-39 to Worland on Saturday.

   

BUFFALO 55, POWELL 48

The first rematch was from an early season matchup where the Panthers had 35 turnovers. Powell knew they had to come out fast in order to break down Buffalo (10-6 overall, 1-2 3A Northeast) and get the Bison out of their high paced press early.

That fast start is exactly what the Panthers got as they took advantage of Buffalo’s aggressive play and Powell jumped out to a 6-0 lead. 

“Buffalo is a very aggressive team and sometimes that can be a downfall, as we were able to take advantage of it by getting some passes over the top to our guards leaking,” Panther head coach Chelsea Buher said.

The Bison worked their way back into the contest, bringing the game back to 6-5. 

Despite the strong start, the Panthers ran into an issue as sophomore guard Waycee Harvey picked up her second foul in the first quarter as Powell led 12-10 after the first.

In the second, neither team found the basket for an extended stretch, as Buffalo came back to take a 19-18 lead going into halftime.

Starting the second half, the Bison press caused problems for the Panthers.

Harvey picked up her third foul at the start of the quarter, which took away one of the two primary ball handlers for the Panthers.

“It is difficult when one of your primary ball handlers gets into foul trouble, as that puts a lot of pressure on Maddie Campbell,” Buher said. “That allows the defense to key on her even more when trying to get open.”

Buffalo’s lead extended out to 34-26, but a quick run by Campbell and sophomore guard Kenzie Ratcliff pulled Powell back to 34-33. 

Buffalo was able to handle the Panther pressure, as they extended the lead back out to five at 38-33 going into the fourth.

An early turnover in the fourth quarter led to a fourth foul for Harvey in transition, as the Panthers struggled to pull the game closer than five.

Both teams continued to battle, but the Panthers were unable to overcome the deficit as Buffalo held on for a 55-48 victory.

“I was really proud of how the girls played,” Buher said. “We hope to take that type of physicality and offensive mindset into the remaining games and as we go into regionals.”

Ratcliff led the way for the Panthers with 18 points and was joined by Campbell in double digits who had 15.

   

WORLAND 45, POWELL 39

A key 3A Northwest matchup greeted the Panthers on Saturday, as they took on Worland (9-8 overall, 3-2 3A Northwest). With a victory the Panthers could improve their hopes for a No. 2 seed, getting revenge after the Warriors defeated Powell in Worland on a buzzer-beating layup three weeks ago.

After their strong offensive start against Buffalo, the Panthers struggled to find the basket early against Worland. 

Worland came out in a zone defense that caused issues for the Panthers, as they were unable to find the same intensity they had practiced all week.

“In order to attack Worland’s zone, we have to attack the seams, pitch, catch and shoot or be ready to quickly attack another seam to pitch to another teammate,” Buher said. “We worked on this all week long in practice and showed great confidence, but for some reason we were not getting that same intensity offensively to create and found ourselves standing along the perimeter way too much.”

Worland took advantage of the Panthers offensive struggles, as they took a 12-5 lead after a layup at the buzzer.

Worland started the second quarter strong from 3-point range to extend their lead, but the Panthers started to figure out the Warriors zone.

Ending the half, the Panthers took advantage of their newfound success and pulled the game within one possession, trailing 20-17 at halftime.

Coming out of the break, the Panthers were down 22-20 before Worland extended the lead back out off unforced errors by Powell.

Both teams found more success scoring in the third quarter, as Worland led 36-30 after three.

The fourth quarter did not see as much scoring early on.

Powell came out with intense defense which held Worland scoreless for the first six minutes of the fourth quarter, but the Panthers were unable to convert their chances and still trailed 36-33.

Worland finally scored to make it 38-33, and pulled away from the free throw line 45-39 despite the Panthers best efforts.

Campbell led the way with nine points, as Ratcliff and freshman Catelynn Floy both added eight.

Worland’s victory moves them into sole possession of second place, as the Panthers remain tied with Lovell at 1-3 with their rematch looming on Friday, Feb. 25.

   

TOP COMPETITION

With regionals fast approaching, the Panthers will take on 3A No. 5 Lyman (14-3 overall, 2-1 3A Southwest) on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Mountain View (11-6, 3-1 3A Southwest) on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

Buher knows that the Panthers will have to come out strong against their 3A Southwest counterparts, as this will help them understand where they are with regionals fast approaching.

“It is going to give us another opportunity to see where we match up with the other side, which is big with regionals right around the corner,” Buher said. “We will have to continue to work on our offense to build confidence in scoring, as well as understand and execute our defensive strategy to slow both teams down.”

   

BUFFALO 55, POWELL 48

Points — Kenzie Ratcliff 18, Maddie Campbell 15, Catelynn Floy 8, Megan Jacobsen 4, Waycee Harvey 3

Rebounds — Floy 6, Harvey 5, Campbell 4, Jacobsen 4, Ratcliff 1, Kaili Wisniewski 1

Assists — Campbell 4, Wisniewski 3, Floy 3, Harvey 2, Kidd 2, Jacobsen 2

Steals — Campbell 2, Harvey 1, Floy 1, Jacobsen 1

   

WORLAND 45, POWELL 39

Points — Campbell 9, Ratcliff 8, Floy 8, Harvey 7, Jacobsen 4, Kidd 3

Rebounds — Harvey 7, Campbell 6, Jacobsen 5, Floy 3, Kidd 2, Wisniewski 1

Assists — Campbell 3, Ratcliff 3, Harvey 2, Floy 2, Kidd 1

Steals — Harvey 3, Campbell 3, Wisniewski 1, Kidd 1, Ratcliff 1, Floy 1, Jacobsen 1

Powell High School, Panther Basketball

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