Roundup Record Tribune & Winnett Times -

The Panthers traveled to Joliet on Friday to challenge the J-Hawks in a 4-B contest. The J-Hawks always are a tough opponent because of how hard they work every night and they are usually very big. This year is no different as the Hawks host a couple of players at 6’5”. The Hawk size was a problem all night as they were able to continually crash the offensive glass until they scored especially in the first half. The Panthers didn’t bring their best effort and it wore them out as the night drug on. The defense didn’t shift, communicate, or cover their best players and options. It was 28-15 at halftime and the Panthers hadn’t really showed up. Coming out at the half the Panthers hoped to cut the deficit to under 10 by the end of the third quarter but the J-Hawks had other ideas. They shot the ball very well in the second half and cruised to a 60-32 victory.

Scoring was as follows: Jace Lemmel 9, Kylen Wolff 7, Braedan Bilden 6, Jordon Olson 4, Dustin Gairrett 5, and Morgan Sanner 2.

Saturday the Panthers hosted the Forsyth Dogies in a non-conference battle. The Dogies have some very talented guards who are good shooters. It was a battle of styles on Saturday as the Panthers wanted to pound it inside and the Dogies were hoping to fill it up from the arc. The Dogies did it early as they had three different guards knock down three-point shots. The Panthers kept their composure and got the ball inside to Jace and Kylen to keep the Dogies in reach. 4 of the 5 Panther starters scored in the first quarter as the Panthers trailed 18-17. During the break adjustments were made to cover shooters instead of helping inside like the night before and the Dogies struggled to score. The Panthers almost held them scoreless in the second quarter but lead 34-20 at the half. The Panthers got great minutes off of the bench from Morgan, Evan, and Thomas as their effort on the defensive end kept the Dogies at bay. The Panthers built a 20 lead in the second half but the Dogies found their shooting touch in the fourth quarther to close the gap to 8. Again, the Panthers maintained their composure were able to pull away and win 58-46.

Scoring was as follows: Kylen Wolff 17, Jace Lemmel 10, Jordon Olson 9, Braedan Bilden 8, Dustin Gairrett 8, and Morgan Sanner 8.