This weekend the Encampment Tigers started off their season with a 3-0 record overall beating Dubois, Wright and Saratoga.
Friday night, in a non-league match, the Encampment Tigers soundly beat Dubois (1-2) 59 to 34.
Gaven Pantle racked up 18 points, had nine assists and four steals. Kyle Wessel had 14 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. Waddie Love tallied 12 points and nine rebounds. Harold Jackson swiped four steals.
“This was a really good start to the season,” head coach Dan Kraft said. “Everything was good. I was really impressed with Jackson and the pressure he put on the guards out front.”
The Tigers took on the Wright Panthers (1-2) Saturday morning, edging the Panthers out 40 to 38.
Encampment and Wright played a close game including a turnover-plagued fourth quarter.
With a minute left, Wright took the lead. A.J. Kuster hauled in an offensive rebound, which gave the Tigers a one-point lead. With 40 seconds remaining, Kuster grabbed a defensive rebound and passed the ball to Pantle.
Pantle was fouled with two seconds remaining and scored one at the free-throw line.
Kuster scored 10 points and 16 rebounds with Waddie Love racking up 18 points. Matt Jarrett grabbed six rebounds.
“Morning games are tough,” Kraft said. “We had more turnovers than we should have, but we found a way to win. It shows they (Tigers) have a lot of heart.”
Saturday afternoon, two Valley rivals took the court, and Encampment stomped Saratoga 55 to 29 (1-2).
Encampment nearly blanked out Saratoga in the first quarter scoring 13-2.
Riding high with two wins in their pocket, the Tigers continued to get the best of the Panthers, leading all four quarters.
The Tigers effectively boxed out Saratoga, racking up the defensive rebounds and holding the Panthers scoreless for the first five-and-a-half minutes of the game.
A.J. Kuster, Kyle Wessel and Waddie Love were nearly unstoppable offensively and by halftime the Tigers led 28-10.
The Tigers iced the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Panthers 10-5, and cruising to the win in the fourth quarter.
Kraft said not many teams have three big kids, “It’s a strength for us.”
Pantle scored 12 points with four assists. Wessel racked up 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.
Kuster tallied 12 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. Love had 8 points and six rebounds.
“Our kids played really good,” Kraft said. “It was a good experience. Saratoga has some good players to guard.”
Kraft said the balance of power shifts between the two teams. “They are really good friends and it makes it hard for them to play (each other). I think it is a good thing they have a good relationship.”
Tuesday night, the Encampment Tigers played at Rock River (0-0). Results were not available at press time.
The Tigers play at North Park Friday at 4:30 p.m. and will host Rawlins JV on Dec. 11 at 4:30 p.m.
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