Saratoga remains on top

While there were some recent shakeups in the 1A Southwest Conference over the weekend, the Saratoga Panthers were unaffected by those changes. They remain in the No. 1 position in their conference as the regular season draws to a close.

Saratoga was on the road over the weekend as they were hosted by the Farson-Eden Pronghorns on Friday afternoon and the Cokeville Panthers on Saturday. In both games, the Saratoga boys were able to walk away with a win and maintain their nearly undefeated conference record.

“It was a great weekend for Panther basketball and we were able to pick up two very important conference wins,” said Head Coach Jason Williams.

Panthers vs. Pronghorns

When the Panthers hosted Farson-Eden earlier in the season, the Pronghorns very nearly dealt Saratoga their second conference loss of the weekend. The Panthers, however, were able to pull ahead as the game drew to a close and ended it with a 4 point lead.

Preparing to face the Pronghorns again, Saratoga went in expecting a similar match. 

“The Farson game was a battle, just like we knew it would be,” Williams said. “We were able to get a double-digit lead early in the 4th quarter but Farson fought their way back into the game.”

The Pronghorns took the double-digit lead Saratoga had over them and shortened it in quick order, bringing the game to yet another 4 point difference as the buzzer sounded.

“I was very proud of how the boys kept their composure and forced Farson to foul us, and then we converted our free throws,” said Williams. “Farson is a very physical team and the boys help that up well.”

Leading Saratoga against the Pronghorns, Grant Bartlett scored 14 points and was followed by J.D. Buttle with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Heston Fisher also scored 12 points and was followed by Grady Bartlett, who scored 9 points and had 10 rebounds. Kelton Johnson was able to contribute to the win, as well, scoring 10 points.

The final score was 55-49, Panthers.

Panthers vs. Panthers

One day after their second win over the Pronghorns, Saratoga faced the orange-and-black Panthers on their home court. When Saratoga had been the hosting Panther team, Cokeville dealt a 4 point loss to the purple-and-gold Panthers. 

“The Cokeville game was one we knew we had to have,” Williams said. “We dropped our home game to them in January, so this game was important for seeding for the regional tournament. The boys came out and dominated from the opening tip and kept building on their lead.”

Grant Bartlett led Saratoga, again, as he scored 23 points and had 5 assists and 4 steals. Grady Bartlett followed with 14 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. K. Johnson scored 11 points and had 5 rebounds and Buttle scored 8 points and had 11 rebounds. Geoffrey Johnson also contributed to the win with 6 rebounds.

The final score was 61-41, Saratoga.

This marked two losses for the Cokeville Panthers, as they had lost to the Encampment Tigers the day before and put them at No. 3 in the conference.

“It was great to have a game where we were able to keep the momentum for the entire game,” said Williams. “Overall, a great weekend of basketball for us and we put ourselves in a good position for the last week of conference play.”

Following their successful weekend, the Saratoga Panthers are 11-4 for the season and 6-1 in conference play. 

Saratoga’s final game of the regular season will be at home as they host the Little Snake River Valley (LSRV) Rattlers (6-9, 3-2) at 4 p.m. on February 18.