Panthers lose to top-ranked conference teams

The Saratoga Panthers basketball team is still struggling to get all of their quarters together. The Panthers (0-2 2A Southeast, 2-8 overall) only scored nine points against Burns (1-1 2A Southeast, 3-8 overall) in the third quarter Friday night and then gave up a lot of points at the free throw line in the fourth quarter.

The Panthers had 7 quick points in the third quarter then went cold, head coach Joe Johnston said.

The Panthers also had fouls they shouldn't have had in the fourth quarter, according to Johnston.

Burns, which is ranked No. 3 in the 2A Southeast conference took advance of their trips to the line, while the Panthers didn't follow through with their steals.

"We should have scored more," Johnston said of the first half. The Panthers played well defensively. Their press got a lot of steals and forced several turnovers against Burns.

The game ended 45-53.

In the game against Pine Bluffs (1-0 2A Southeast, 8-1) overall the Panther press was not perfected, Johnston said.

Ranked No. 1 in the 2A Southeast conference and No. 5 in the state, the Pine Bluff Hornets have a deep bench.

Thirteen Hornets scored leaving the Panthers with a 52-86 score.

Johnston said the Panthers played better against the Hornets as a whole on Saturday using their offensive and defensive skills.

Even with 18 turnovers, the Panthers were able to break the press of the Hornets, but being down by 20 in the first quarter did not help the Panthers, Johnston said.

Two weeks into the 2015 season, Johnston said the team is not where they should be.

This weekend, the Panthers will face county foes in non-conference play.

"The kids are pumped for the games," Johnston said.

Friday, the Saratoga Panthers host the Encampment Tigers with the junior varsity to begin at 4 p.m. The boys are slated to start 7 p.m.

Saturday, the Panthers will meet Little Snake River Valley at 7 p.m., in Baggs. JV play begins at 4 p.m.