Tigers win one, lose one

The Encampment Tigers played two non-conference games last week.

The first game, last Tuesday, was a fast-paced game against the North Park Wildcats. Senior Waddie Love played in his last high school game do to a re-injury of his ankle. Love made the decision to have the injury fixed so he can pursue an athletic career after this year.

“It’s pretty emotional for me; it’s like watching his last football game” Scott Love, Waddie’s dad, said with a smile before the game. “It’s been a fun ride and I’m glad he let me tag along.”

The Wildcats came to the Tiger’s gym looking to make up for the 3-point loss Encampment handed them the last time the two teams faced one another in Walden.

The pace of the game was intense and the Tigers went to work early. A.J. Kuster and Kyle Wessel worked the Wildcat’s big men under both rims, and both of the seniors scored points early on. Gaven Pantle settled into his game and was able to assist the Tiger’s post players. Waddie Love hit 5 points in the first quarter, and with the Encampment defense firing on all cylinders, the Wildcats were in trouble early.

At the end of the first, Encampment had a strong lead of 16-7 and the domination continued through the half. Pantle started the second quarter’s scoring with one from the arc and coach Dan Kraft was able to call on Matt Jarrett and Brett Miller early in the quarter. With the Tiger’s lock on rebounds, and the defense playing well, the score at halftime had Encampment up by 5.

Kraft’s game plan continued to pay off in the third quarter. Jarrett stole the ball early on shutting down North Park’s offense, and Pantle hit buckets well into the quarter. Kuster and Wessel continued their usual control of the paint and by the end of three, Encampment had a demanding 11 point lead. The time continued to tick down for North Park and Encampment proved too much again for the Wildcats. The final buzzer sounded with the Tigers well on top, 52-37

“I think this is a great start to our season, this is the best start we have had in forever,” Love said after his final game. “We are going to be contenders for the title I think. With the way things are going, this will be a great team and I wish the best of luck.”

Encampment played a nail-biter at their home court Friday night against the Rock River Panthers and were only able to get the lead back once in the third quarter.

With a key player, Love, out of the offense, Kraft changed things up to adjust. After Tuesday night’s performance, Miller and Jarrett were called to start against Rock River.

The game started out strongly for Encampment and all of Kraft’s players were executing.

A block and a steal by Kuster shut down Rock River early.Wessel was good under the offensive board and Pantle drew a charge late in the quarter to stop Rock River.

Guy Erickson came off the bench mid-way through the quarter and hit a 3-pointer that helped lift Encampment.

Turnovers kept both teams from pulling away and in the last 30 seconds of the quarter, Rock River hit a 3-pointer to bring the score to 6-8.

Rock River gained the lead with solid 3-point shooting in the second quarter. Defensive rebounding together with good offensive rebounds from Kuster kept Encampment close. Erickson hit two 3-pointers in the quarter to keep Encampment in the game at half time, 18-23.

In the second half, with continued rebounding and points from Miller, the Tigers held off Rock River’s 3-point scoring.Erickson hit a fourth 3-point basket late in the quarter, and two steals from Kuster brought the score within 2.

Pantle hit one from the arc to give the Tigers the lead again, but the solid shooting from Rock River had them up 30-34 at the end of three.

Both teams were not going to give up at this point and Rock River continued to shoot well. So well, in fact, that they had an 11 point lead with five minutes left in the game.

Encampment continued their defensive stand and held Rock River to 0 points in the next three minutes. Pantle’s steal and assist to Erickson brought the score to 39-43 with two minutes left. Wessel scored well in the fourth but at the end buzzer, Rock River’s defense and freethrow shooting kept them on top. The final tally was 43-47 in favor of Rock River.

“It’s kind of bittersweet since we lost but I’m happy with my performance as a freshman,” Erickson said after the game. “We need to keep building on it and win some more games.”

Erickson made four 3-pointers and 2 from the field on the night.

“I think we’re still going to be decent, we lost one of our best players and we have to make up for that loss,” Erickson said. “I think we can still go deep and get into state and maybe have a shot at it.”

Up next for the Encampment Tigers is a pair of away, conference games Friday and Saturday. The Tigers first face the Little Snake River Rattlers at 3 p.m., then travel the next day to play Hanna-Elk Mountain-Medicine Bow at 1 p.m..