The Panthers aren’t known for hanging their heads and getting down. After last weekend the Panthers could have done just that but to their credit they came out ready to play Friday night against the Shepherd Mustangs. It was the first conference game of the year for both teams. Different than last week the Panthers got off to a good start. Both teams started in man to man and the Panthers took advantage in their motion. The movement created some good looks for the Panthers. I wish I could say we took advantage of all of the opportunities but we didn’t. The movement created some rebounding lanes that the Panthers hit and got some second chance points. Jace lead the way in that category as he seemed to be everywhere on the glass. Braedan did a great job of taking some open shots and knocking them down. The Panthers jumped out to a 10-2 lead with some solid offense and really good man defense. Foul trouble derailed the Panthers effort in the first quarter as Morgan and Kylen both got two fouls in the quarter. The Panthers lead 14-10 after the first. The early foul trouble changed the Panther rotations and put some different guys out on the floor which slowed down our offensive output. Shepherd switched to their half court 1-3-1 but the Panthers preparation during the weekend helped handle the traps. Both teams had some offensive spurts in the quarter. Braedan scored 8 of his 18 points in the quarter to keep the Panther ship steaming. Late in the quarter the Mustangs hit three three point shots to take a 29-28 lead at the half. The second half was much the same as the Panthers didn’t take advantage of their opportunities at the free throw line but Jordon and Dustin lead the charge on the defensive end to pull out the win against the Mustangs, 65-63.
Scoring was as follows: Jace Lemmel 20, Braedan Bilden 18, Kylen Wolff 12, Jordon Olson 6, Morgan Sanner 5, Dustin Gairrett 3, and Aaron Van Dyke 1.
Saturday evening the Panthers hosted Divisional foe Colstrip for their fourth game of the season. Colstrip is coached by Joe Egan who always does a great job with his kids and program. His teams are well coached and if you don’t bring your work clothes they are going to run you out of the gym. Fortunately, Saturday evening the Panthers were up to the challenge. The game was close throughout as both teams were working extremely hard on the defensive end. Dustin got the Panthers going early with some great individual defense that lead to a couple of break away layups for the Panthers. Four of the five starters scored in the quarter as Morgan, Braedan, and Jace all got into the scoring column. Once again the Panthers switched defenses throughout the night which kept the Colts off balance. In the second quarter the game got fairly physical as both teams scrapped. The Colts found their shooting rhythm and outscored the Panthers 17-15 in the quarter but the Panthers lead at the half 29-27 on two free throws from Jordon to end the quarter. Midway through the third quarter the Panthers applied a little more full court man pressure lead by senior Jordon Olson. Jordon was relentless and the Colts began to buckle. The pressure began to create turnovers for the Panthers and eliminated scoring opportunities for the Colts. The Panthers had a better bench and it showed in the fourth quarter as the Panthers lead by senior Kylen Wolff’s nine points outscored the Colts 17-8 to win 60-48.
Scoring was as follows: Jace Lemmel 23, Dustin Gairrett 14, Kylen Wolff 12, Braedan Bilden 7, Jordon Olson 2 and Morgan Sanner 2.
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