Hoopers never stand down

While the Saratoga Panthers took two losses this weekend, the boys varsity squad battled to the end, just as they have done all season.

"I've never coached or been around a team that has faced as much adversity this year's with injuries and other things. I've never been prouder of a team as I have been with these boys," Coach Jason Williams said, reflecting on last week's games.

On Friday, the Panthers (0-6 conference, 1-16 overall) came out with energy and intensity against the Hanna-Elk Mountain-Medicine Bow (HEM) Miners (3-0, 10-6). The first quarter was a low-scoring, back and forth affair that was tied until the Miners put up a bucket with two seconds left. The first period end with HEM up by 2 points, 11-13.

A couple second quarter runs by the Miners changed the face of the game. The first half ended 33-49 in favor of HEM and Saratoga could not make up the deficit.

The third period was another battle between the defenses with only 25 combined points scored. Coming out of the third quarter at 33-49, the Panthers looked reinvigorated and outscored the Miners 21-18 in the fourth, but it still left Saratoga 13 points shy of the win. The game ended 56-69.

Looking at the positives, Williams said the Panthers executed their offense better than the last time they faced HEM. The back court press is also getting stronger by the game.

Williams credits leadership for how good the team looks going into the last week of the regular season. "Jace [Berger] and Rod [Escobedo]are really keys to the team. Their presence on the court really boosts our team. When they are together on the court, we are better as a team. (Escobedo) brings a leadership to the floor that can't be coached and can't be taught," Williams said.

Berger had a double-double against HEM with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Morgan Rempel scored 11, Danny Brennan put up 8 and Escobedo had 5 points. Brennan and Christian Soles each had five rebounds. Aaron Kerbs showed that he is more than just the man on the press. He had six assists against the Miners.

The Panthers hosted the Lingle-Ft. Laramie Doggers (4-0, 10-8) on Saturday night. The Doggers took the first quarter 9-16. While the Panthers press was working well and slowing down the game, the Doggers were able to find passing lanes and the strong rebounding of Garrett Cooper worked against Saratoga.

"I feel like that's the game that our press really came together. We really executed it well," Williams said, adding that the team's energy gets better when the press is on. The Panthers traded blows with the Doggers in the second quarter, but still went into half down by 8, 21-29.

The third period of the Panthers-Doggers game was saw tough play by both defenses with no scoring for over four minutes in the middle of the quarter. After a buzzer-beater by Lingle-Ft. Laramie, the third ended 27-36.

The Panthers got the crowd fired up in the fourth period with a hard press by the defense and some spectacular scoring attempts. Berger had a steal followed by a breakaway and a dunk at with 1:38 left in the game. In the end, it was not enough and the Panthers fell to the Doggers 42-50.

Saratoga scorers in the Lingle-Ft.Laramie game were Berger (14 points), Escobedo (9), Darian Williams (8) and Rempel (6). D. Williams had 8 rebounds while Berger and Brennan had 6 rebounds each.

"They just keep plugging a way and that's a great life skill. That goes beyond the court," coach Williams said of the team.

This week the Panthers host their last home game against the Niobrara County Tigers (4-3, 7-13). The "Pack the Gym" night tip of for boys varsity is at 6:30 p.m. There will be a ceremony honoring the senior players and a cheesecake auction for the booster club at halftime on Friday. On Saturday the boys travel to face the conference foe Southeast Cyclones (3-3, 7-11) starting at 4 p.m. in Yoder.