Roundup Boys Basketball

The Roundup Panthers traveled to Huntley on Tuesday to challenge the Red Devils. Huntley is as one of the top five teams in the Class B this year but overall the Panthers stood up to the challenge. Huntley has a distinct height advantage as they have two posts that are 6'5" and 6'7" who are very athletic and talented. The game plan was to back in a 2-3 zone and make it very difficult to enter to the posts but be able to cover their shooters. For the evening our plan was fairly effective as the Panthers made many runs at the Red Devils. Jace got the Panthers out to a solid start scoring 7 points in the first quarter but the Panthers trailed 20-10 at the end of the first quarter. The Red Devils scored the first eight points of the second quarter but the Panther defense began to firm up and take away some of their easy looks. Kaide did a great job of supplying an offensive punch scoring 15 of his game high 19 in the second and third quarters. Slowly, the Red Devils began to pull away and put the game away. The Panthers had some good production from our sophomores. Wyatt, Damarion, Kylen, and Jordan all were very effective during their time on the floor. Huntley won the game 74-45.

Scoring was as follows: Kaide Griffith 19, Jace Lemmel 10, Michael McHenry 7, Kylen Wolff 5, and Damarion Brewer 4.

Friday the Panthers traveled to Joliet to play the Jayhawks. The Jayhawks brought their usual high intensity physical game which caused some problems for the Panthers. Early in the game the young Panthers didn't execute some of the basic fundamentals of basketball and allowed the Jayhawks numerous opportunities on the offensive glass. The play was physical but the ability to box out can never be overstated and the Panthers struggled mightily. The Panthers also struggled at times with the Jayhawk half court trap. The Panthers were able to break the trap but then would have careless turnovers and give it up. With all of that being said the Panthers trailed 21-15 at the half. The Panthers were able to stay in the game because of their own defensive intensity and their ability to put pressure on the Jayhawks. I was very happy with our defensive effort up to the point of rebounding the miss shot by Joliet. The Panthers were down 14 in the fourth when they made a run and cut the lead to 8 points but couldn't capitalize from there. Joliet prevailed 42-33.

Scoring was as follows: Kaide Griffith 9, Michael McHenry 8, Kylen Wolff 8, Jace Lemmel 4, and Damarion Brewer 4.

Saturday afternoon the Panthers hosted the Forsyth Dogies in a non-conference battle. Once again, the Panthers got off to a slow start on the offensive end by not taking advantage of their easy opportunities. Defensively, the Panthers were attempting to put pressure on the ball but Forsyth continued to dribble out of trouble and find open shots and early in the game they made them. The Dogies led 9-6 after the first quarter. Midway through the second quarter the Dustin came off of the bench and brought some needed energy to the game. He made a couple of buckets and the flood gates opened as Kaide, Michael, Jace, Jordan, and Kylen scored in the quarter and the Panthers led at the half 27-18. Coming out of the half the Panthers were able to make some shots and get into their half court trap which created havoc for the Dogies. The Panthers had back to back twenty-point quarters for the first time this year and led 49-30. I was very happy with the play off of the bench as Wyatt, Elijah, Braedan, Damarion, Dustin, and Morgan all were productive in the second half. The Panthers won their first game of the season 62-39.

Scoring was as follows: Jace Lemmel 17, Kaide Griffith 13, Micheal McHenry 12, Damarion Brewer 6, Dustin Gairrett 4, Elijah Fish 2, Kylen Wolff 2, Braedan Bilden 2, Wyatt Goffena 2 and Jordan Olson 2.