Panthers keep top spot

Saratoga fends off conference rivals to enter regional quad at No. 1 seed

The Saratoga Panthers held onto their No. 1 spot in the 1A Southwest Conference as they fended off three conference foes last week.

On Tuesday, Saratoga narrowly defeated their Valley and conference rivals, the Encampment Tigers (13-3, 5-3) and secured a substantial win against the Little Snake River Valley (LSRV) Rattlers (1-13, 0-8) on Friday. Then, on Saturday, the Panthers secured a single-point victory against the Farson-Eden Pronghorns (11-4, 5-3).

Panthers vs. Tigers

When Saratoga entered Tiger Nation earlier in the season, Encampment dealt a loss to the Panthers that knocked them from their top spot in the conference. Saratoga, however, retook that spot as the season progressed and when the two Valley teams met in the Panther Den, they were No. 1 and No. 2 in the conference.

The game would turn out to be a defensive and offensive battle for both teams. The first half of the game would see the score tied at 10-10 in the 1st quarter and 17-17 in the 2nd quarter. It wouldn't be until the second half that the Panthers would be able to dig in enough to put themselves ahead of Encampment.

"Encampment played well, they had a great game plan for us and they're well coached," said Jason Williams, head coach of the Saratoga Panthers. "The boys fought hard and got the lead and were able to keep it. I thought we showed a lot of poise. It was one of those things that we're going to need to have moving forward, is that ability to fall behind and then work our way back into it."

The lead that Saratoga was able to secure in the 3rd quarter was only by 3 points, as they entered the final eight minutes of the game leading 29-26. While they kept that lead throughout the final quarter of the game, the final few seconds saw the Tigers secure a 3-pointer to make the final score 42-40.

"Encampment's a good team and we needed, obviously, every point to get that one," Williams said.

Panthers vs. Rattlers

Following their win over Encampment, the Panthers ventured into the Viper Pit as they were hosted by the Rattlers on Friday. When the two teams last met in the Panther Den, Saratoga dealt a devastating loss of 72-28 to LSRV. This time, the Panthers would deal another loss to the young Rattlers.

"They're a young team, they don't have any seniors but they work hard," said Williams. "That would have been an easy game for us to look past ... and I was proud that the boys didn't. They knew that that was an important game, too."

The final score was 59-17.

Panthers vs. Pronghorns

When Saratoga was hosted by the Pronghorns just a week before, the Panthers had managed to return home with a 20 point lead as they defeated Farson-Eden 48-28. The Pronghorns, when they ventured into the Panther Den, would make it difficult for Saratoga to repeat that score.

In what was one of the lowest scoring first halves of Saratoga's entire season, the 1st quarter ended with the Panthers trailing 1-7 and going into the half 6-9 against Farson-Eden. In the 2nd quarter, what appeared to help the Panthers was their ability to shoot from the inside while the Pronghorns attempted, and failed, to make 3-pointers that would have expanded their lead. 

Farson-Eden had done their homework, too, as they practically swarmed players such as Grant and Grady Bartlett whenever they gained possession of the ball. Williams, again, praised the poise of his players.

"These guys, obviously they play great defense and they're all over the court. For us to climb back into it, take the lead and then we tie it up and then we take the lead again," Williams said. "To keep that against that kind of defense and against that kind of constant pressure. I'm just super proud of the boys (and) how hard they worked for that."

The second half of the game would see Saratoga and the Pronghorns tie at least four different times. The final tie, 21-21, began with 3:18 left in the game and would be broken with a single point from the free throw line with the Panthers keeping Farson-Eden from gaining possession in the final seconds.

The final score was 22-21.

With the regular season over, Saratoga must now look towards the 1A Southwest Quadrant Semifinals, which will be played on their home court. No. 1 Saratoga will take on the No. 4 Cokeville Panthers.

"Right now, that is the most important game," said Williams. "We've got to have that game."

Saratoga will face Cokeville at 2 p.m. on February 25 in Saratoga.

 

Reader Comments(0)