Lady Panthers win in Lusk, twisted up by #1 Cyclones

After coming home with a conference win against Lusk (0-4, 2A Southeast, 5-10 overall) the Lady Panthers lost to the 2A Southeast conference No. 1 ranked Southeast Lady Cyclones 23-44.

The Cyclones have a 3-0 record in the conference and 13-0 overall.

The win against Lusk gives the Lady Panthers their first conference win this season. Their record now stands at 1-3, 2A Southeast and 7-8 overall.

Meredith Lincoln was the standout in the game against Lusk with a double double of 27 points and 14 rebounds.

Justine Fourman scored 6 points and had seven rebounds with Kelsie Samson adding 5 points and five rebounds.

"Going on the road traveling four hours is tough on the kids," Lady Panthers head coach Scott Bokelman said. The team was ready to go when they got off the bus, though. The team limited their turnovers to 12 and shot the ball well, Bokelman said.

It was an even battle before the Lady Panthers stepped forward and came out on top, Bokelman said.

The game against the Cyclones was a better game according to Bokelman. "Defensively, it was a good game." The team had only nine turnovers against the Cyclones, but the Lady Panthers missed some easy shots.

Katie Loose was a defensive brute on the court as she fought for the ball. "She played well," Bokelman said. Loose is one of the teams best defenders according to Bokelman and she proved it on the court Saturday. Bokelman put her up against the Cyclones best player and she relished the challenge, he said.

"We will get her more involved in scoring," Bokelman added.

The most painful quarter for the Lady Panthers was the second quarter as they only scored 3 points against the senior-laden Lady Cyclones.

In the first quarter, the Lady Panther held their own, trailing by only 2 points, 8-10.

Despite being down 11-28 at the half, the Lady Panthers fought hard in the second half, but could not get the shot to drain. The Lady Panthers scored 6 points in the third quarter to the Lady Cyclones' 11.

In the fourth quarter, the defense kept the Lady Cyclones to 5 points as the Lady Panther picked up 6 points.

Even though the girls haven't put together a complete four quarters, Bokelman said they are playing tough.

Bokelman is working toward the goal, saying when they step up and play hard they are a tough team.

"They need to be proactive about playing hard and stop putting pressure on themselves," Bokelman said.

He wants them to focus on what they are supposed to be doing. The girls are setting up a good screen, they need to work on boxing out and keeping the other team from getting put-backs.

This weekend the Lady Panthers will face two opponents ranked at No. 2 and 3 2A Southeast.

Friday night the Lady Panthers host the Burns Broncs who has a 3-1, 2A Southeast Conference record. The No. 2 Broncs have a 13-2 overall record and beat the Lady Panthers 27-72 in January.

Saturday, the girls travel to Pine Bluffs (2-1, 2A Southeast conference, 12-2 overall), to face the No. 3 ranked Hornets.

Friday the game begins with junior varsity play at 3:30 p.m., in the Saratoga Middle/High School gym. The Saturday game starts at noon with JV play.

 

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