Roundup Panthers

The Roundup Panthers started their 2021-2022 season with a non-conference game against the Lockwood Lions JV team. The season started November 18 and the Panthers had sixteen practices spread out over four weeks. The Panthers were ready for a game. The Panther defense started a bit slow as the Lion offense was comprised of good ball handling and shooting guards. The Panthers didn't communicate real well on ball screens and switches and the Lions made them pay hitting their first three shots for an early lead. The Panthers switched to zone and the game was over. The Panther zone rotated, covered, and challenged the Lions on every possession. When the Lions missed the Panthers gathered the boards and away they went. Jace led the Panthers in rebounding (11) and scoring (26). Jordan, Braedan, AJ, and Dustin did a great job of rotating and covering the Lion shooters out of the zone. Offensively, the Panthers were able to get out and run throughout the game and when they did miss, they crashed the offensive glass collecting (14) offensive rebounds in the game. At the end of the first quarter the Panthers led 17-11 but it was the second and third quarter that doomed the Lions as the Panthers held them to five points combined in the quarter and scored thirty-four. Overall, it was a strong team effort and the Panthers won 62-30. Scoring was as follows: Jace Lemmel 26, AJ Gray 9, Dustin Gairrett 9, Braedan Bilden 7, Kylen Wolff 5, Jordan Olson 2, Morgan Sanner 2, Adam Mozqueda 1, and Jared Freitas 1.

The Panthers host the Shepherd Mustangs on Friday, December 17, for their first conference game.

Friday, December 17th, the Panthers hosted the Shepherd Mustangs for their first conference game of the year. Sometimes there are games when no matter what you try to do as a coach the players are just wound up and won't slow down. Friday night was one of those evenings for the Panthers. Everyone was going just a little faster than they needed to and the Panthers missed some opportunities. Kylen started the game with two fouls in the first 32 seconds of the game which took us out of our normal rotations for subs. The Mustangs came out in a 1-3-1 full court trap which shouldn't have been a problem as we had worked on a half court look but the Panthers didn't respond very well. Our senior leader saved us as AJ made a couple of great plays on the offensive end which helped everyone relax. He made a couple of shots and had a couple of assists that quieted the Shepherd crowd and broke the Mustang momentum. The Panthers led 15-13 at the end of the first period.

The second period was a rerun of the first as the Panthers couldn't consistently break the press and capitalize on the defensive efforts. Morgan subbed for Kylen, who picked up his third foul, and did a nice job on the defensive end gathering 5 rebounds. The Panthers committed 15 turnovers in the first half but they were able to hold the lead at 30-25. In the third quarter the Panthers built their lead up to ten points with about three minutes left in the quarter but gave it all away as the defense fell asleep and Shepherd tied the game 39-39. Fortunately, the Panthers played their best in the fourth quarter cutting down their turnovers to two for the quarter. The Panthers missed free throws late that would have iced the game but their defense propelled the Panthers to a victory. The Panthers won 51-48.

Scoring was as follows: AJ Gray 15, Jace Lemmel 10, Dustin Gairrett 10, Kylen Wolff 8, Braedan Bilden 4, and Jordan Olson 4.