Panther boys show improvement

After a conference loss to Burns (1-1, 7-7) on Friday, Panthers (0-2, 1-7) coach Jason Williams told the team, "You guys are probably going to be sick of hearing me say this, but you are so close to putting it together, full-blown, and surprising some people."

In a game that both the coaches and boys went into thinking they could win, the Broncs bested the Panthers 47-55.

In a reportedly quiet locker room after the Burns game, Williams said, "I told them, they need to use that hurt to make themselves better." Williams said he sees improvement in the Panthers every time they take the court and just a few tweaks will have them winning games.

The Panthers looked strong on defense with a healthy back court press and were physical under the net against Burns. The Broncs came out with an early lead and the Panthers just couldn't catch back up. At the end of the first quarter the Broncs were ahead by 5, a lead the Panthers narrowed to 3 at the end of the half. The Broncs then finished the third quarter up by ten, slipping to a 7-point lead at the end of the game.

In their second conference game of the season, the Panthers headed over to Pine Bluffs (1-0, 10-2) to face a bigger team with a 6-foot 10-inch power forward. Williams was proud of Panthers forward Jace Berger after the Pine Bluffs game. "Our big guy Jace Berger didn't back down from him. He took it to him and didn't back down." Williams said referencing the matchup between Berger and the Hornets power forward Hunter Thompson.

Williams said that the Hornets put a hard backcourt press on the Panthers which was a good learning experience. The adversity is not getting to the Panthers according to Williams who is looking forward to this week's non-conference games.

The Panthers boys varsity team faces the Little Snake River Rattlers in Baggs with a Friday tip off at 6 p.m. On Saturday Saratoga will head south to Encampment's Homecoming Week game which starts for the boys at 3 p.m.

 

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