Panthers working overtime

The Saratoga Panthers suffered a conference loss over the weekend as they hosted the Farson-Eden Pronghorns (15-3, 4-1) for a makeup game following the cancellation of the original game in mid-January. Earlier in the week, however, the Panthers were hosted by the Hanna, Elk Mountain and Medicine Bow (HEM) Miners (8-6, 2-0) for a rematch where Saratoga saw another victory over the Miners.

Saratoga vs. HEM

The last time the Panthers and HEM faced off was on Dec. 18, just before winter break, in a game that saw a high amount of frustration from both teams, as well as their fans. In the pre-Christmas match, Saratoga ultimately won in overtime 71-62. On Tuesday, Jan. 29, both teams saw a very similar end to the game as it, once again, entered overtime.

Facing off against the Miners, sophomore Teegan Love led the team with 31 points, 21 rebounds and 3 assists. Following Love was senior Sam Schneider, who scored 27 points and had 10 rebounds. Junior Menphis Smith scored 12 points and sophomore Gavin Bartlett scored 8 points, had 4 rebounds and 6 steals.

"Hanna was a hard fought game for both teams and I was proud of how the boys persevered," said Jason Williams, head coach of the Saratoga Panthers. "It was an up and down game and the boys played hard. Hanna is an athletic team and it was very good to come out with a win."

The Panthers win came in overtime with a score of 83-77, making it the second overtime game that Saratoga has played this season, and against the same team.

Saratoga vs.

Farson-Eden

On Thursday, the Panthers hosted Farson-Eden to makeup for the game cancelled on Jan. 18 due to weather. When the Pronghorns had been in the Valley previously, they had secured a win against the Encampment Tigers. Farson-Eden would do the same with Saratoga that evening.

"Farson is a well coached, very disciplined and fundamental team and there is a reason they are the top ranked team in 1A," Williams said. "We played them pretty evenly for about three-and-a-half quarters and were down by 8 (points) with four minutes to go, so we feel like the game was actually closer than the score indicated."

Schneider would lead the team against the Pronghorns with 17 points and 3 rebounds and Love followed with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Bartlett scored 7 points against Farson-Eden and had 3 assists.

The final score for Saratoga was 46-71.

"The boys played hard and played well," said Williams, "but I think that fatigue played a role at the end of the game. We needed to win a battle within five feet of the basket on both ends, but we weren't able to do that. We face them again this coming weekend on the road, so we will need to improve our rebounding in order to beat them."

Following their 1-1 week, the Panthers are now 10-5 for the season and 2-2 for conference as they prepare to hit the road. Saratoga will first be hosted by the Pronghorns at 3 p.m. on Feb. 8. The following day they will be hosted by the Cokeville Panthers (11-4, 2-2) at noon on Feb. 9.