Some consolation

The first game for the No. 4 West ranked Saratoga Panthers at the 1A State Boys Basketball Tournament was against the No. 1 East ranked Kaycee Buckaroos. While the Panthers would fall to Kaycee, they would see wins against the Hulett Red Devils and the Hanna, Elk Mountain and Medicine Bow (HEM) Miners to snag the consolation prize.

"It was a great season and the boys were able to bring a trophy home from the State Tournament," said Jason Williams, head coach of the Saratoga Panthers.

Panthers vs. Buckaroos

Saratoga's first game of State took place at 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Casper Events Center against the Buckaroos.

"We played the eventual state champions and we got a little rattled in the second quarter," said Williams, "but I was very proud of how the boys battled back."

Gage Bartlett lead the team with 34 points. Sam Schneider would follow with 16 points and Colton Jones added 6.

Kaycee was able to defeat the Panthers by 6 points sending Saratoga to the consolation rounds to face the Red Devils.

"We got it to within three with about a minute left, but we could just never get over the hump," said Williams.

The final score was 69-75.

Panthers vs. Red Devils

Following their loss to Kaycee, the Panthers faced off against Hulett at 1:30 p.m. on Friday at Casper College.

"Thursday night's game was a tough emotional loss for us and we didn't get back to the hotel and get settled until after midnight," said Williams, "so I was very proud of how the boys bounced back on Friday."

Bartlett would, again, lead the team with 24 points, followed by Teegan Love with 21 points and Schneider with 20 points.

Saratoga would end the game against the No. 3 East ranked team with a 16-point lead, knocking the Red Devils out of the State Tournament and advancing the Panthers to take on HEM for the consolation prize.

"Hulett never let up and forced us to play for the full 32 minutes," said Williams, "it was a true team win because we needed everybody for the game."

The final score was 85-69.

Panthers vs. Miners

Saratoga faced off against the Miners at noon on Saturday at the Natrona County High School to determine who would win the consolation prize for the State Tournament.

"Saturday's game was a little bit bittersweet for us," said Williams.

Williams said that while the Panthers knew it was going to be a big game and they were going to have a chance to take home a trophy, it was also going to be the last time the seniors were going to be together on the court.

Bartlett once again led Saratoga with 28 points, followed by Schneider with 16 points and Love with 7 points.

Saratoga would end the game against HEM with a 15-point lead.

"We started a little slow but we kind of found our footing in the second quarter and were able to take the lead before halftime," said Williams.

Williams had praise for HEM and their coach, Cliff Jones.

"They played hard the whole game and gave us all we could handle," said Williams.

The final score was 58-43.

"I am incredibly proud of them (Saratoga Panthers)," Williams said.