Panthers edge Tigers in Valley rivalry

In a game that came down to the wire, Saratoga beat Encampment, 43-41. There were seven lead changes in this game and the score was tied numerous times. Both teams played very well and this was a great basketball game to end the regular season play.

It was also senior night in the Panther Den and six seniors were honored with their parents on the floor before tipoff. Ben Gates, Jake Fourman, Daniel Kerbs, Taylor Smith, Amber Young and Taylor Miller will all graduate this spring.

In a turn of normal events that might have been an omen for Encampment, Jake Fourman won the tip against Kyle Wessel. The start of the game had a very fast pace, and both teams kept up to one another.

Saratoga worked hard to contain A.J. Kuster and Wessel under the rims. That and free throws were both factors early in the game. The score was tied at 6 with two minutes left in the first.

Wessel scored well in the first and drew a foul to put Encampment up 7-9, but senior Ben Gates hit a pressure shot to tie again. Wessel would not be silenced and hit a jump shot from the top of the key at the buzzer to put Encampment back on top 9-11.

Into the second quarter, domination from Encampment’s big men helped obtain the lead.Offensive rebounding and put-backs from Wessel and Kuster had Encampment building a lead.

At this point in the game the tension could be cut with a knife.

There were a fair share of fouls on both teams and free throws were still a factor with Encampment up 6 points late in the second.

Gaven Pantle fouled Ryan Malone at the arc and Malone went to the line to shoot three free throws. Malone hit all three in what would be the start of Saratoga’s comeback. Fourman hit an offensive put-back to draw within 2. Encampment got called for traveling giving the Panthers the ball back at 16-18. Fourman again found a true shot to tie at 18 apiece, but Pantle wouldn’t go into the locker room tied. He drove the lane with four seconds left and Encampment had the lead at half time, 18-20.

The second half was much like the first, but the pace was even faster.

There were three lead changes in the third quarter. Steals and turnovers were the factor of this quarter, and both teams were on top of their game. The third quarter ended with Saratoga on top, 28-26.

From this point on, not more than 4 points separated the rivals.

A.J. Kuster continued to rebound well and he brought the score to even again at the start of the fourth quarter. John Brennan hit one of two shots he made from the arc in this clutch moment and put Saratoga back on top, 31-30. Ben Faulk drew a charge in the fourth to retain possession of the ball, and possession was the key at this point. Brennan again tied the game at 35 and Fourman hit one to go ahead with three minutes left. The whistle played into the Panthers advantage and Brennan hit two free throws late in the game to go up 3. Harold Jackson had one more chance from the line and he made sure he nailed down 2.

This was a 1-point game with one minute left. Ryan Malone and Daniel Kerbs both fouled out in the last minute proving the aggressiveness of the game.

Brennan drew a charge and sunk both free throws to go up 3. Saratoga went up by 4 points, but Encampment again closed the gap, 43-41. Jackson stole the ball with 10 seconds on the clock. Encampment took an immediate time out, but the clock ran out in this barn burner and when the smoke cleared Saratoga was triumphant, 43-41.

Saratoga hosted the conference play-in game on Monday night against Southeast but was unable to find the win to move on. Saratoga dropped the contest by a slim margin, 58-62.