Panthers take 3rd place

The Saratoga Panthers have ended their season as one of the top three teams in Wyoming following the 1A State Basketball Tournament in Casper this weekend. Facing off against three teams—including the eventual State Champions—the Panthers were able to end their season with a win.

“I am very proud of the boys and the weekend that we had,” said Head Coach Jason Williams. “We came home with a 3rd Place Trophy and they worked very, very hard to get that trophy.”

To get that trophy, Saratoga faced off against the Lingle-Ft. Laramie Doggers, the Upton Bobcats and the Farson-Eden Pronghorns.

Panthers vs. Doggers

“Our first game was against a young Lingle-Ft. Laramie team and we had to play well and execute on both ends of the floor to win that game,” Williams said. “We felt like we got rolling in the 3rd quarter and our posts were able to start dominating the game at both baskets.”

As the quarterfinal round of the state tournament began, Saratoga outscored the Doggers in the 1st quarter and continued scoring double-digits throughout the whole game. In the second half of the game, the scoring appeared to become a little more even with Lingle-Ft. Laramie putting double-digits on the board. Saratoga had already established their lead, however, and sent the Doggers to the consolation bracket.

Grant Bartlett and J.D. Buttle both led the Panthers against Lingle-Ft. Laramie as they each scored 19 points. Grant Bartlett also had 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 7 steals. Buttle had 11 rebounds and 1 steal. Heston Fisher followed with 7 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals. Kelton Johnson scored 5 points and had 1 rebound and 1 assist.

The final score was 57-38, Saratoga.

Panthers vs. Bobcats

The second game of the weekend for the Panthers was against Upton, the defending and eventual State Champions. Last season, the two teams had faced off in the Ford Wyoming Center when Saratoga defended their title. The Bobcats eventually dealt a loss to Saratoga to get their first championship in school history, just like the Panthers had done the year before. 

“Upton is a very talented and athletic team and we knew it was going to be a tough game,” said Williams. “I was so proud of how the boys fought back from being down 21 (points) in the 4th quarter to losing by only 13 (points). The Upton coach was one of many that commented to me about how hard the boys play, no matter what the score is.”

In the first three quarters of the game, the Bobcats outscored Saratoga to establish their lead. While the Panthers were able to put double-digits on the board in the 2nd and 4th quarters, the consistent scoring from Upton made it difficult for Saratoga to turn the game in their favor.

Grady Bartlett led the Panthers as he scored 15 points and had 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals. Grant Bartlett followed with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Buttle scored 6 points and had 6 rebounds.

The final score was 49-36, Upton.

Panthers vs. Pronghorns

The loss to the Bobcats on Friday night sent Saratoga into the consolation bracket to determine who would take 3rd place at the state tournament as they faced the Pronghorns.

“This was the 4th time we played Farson-Eden this year, with each previous game being decided by less than 5 points,” Williams said. “Coming off of a loss the night before, we knew it was going to be a battle and the boys were more than up to the challenge. We ended up with our largest margin of victory over the Pronghorns, which is a testament to the boys and their determination.”

Heston Fisher was the lead scorer for the Panthers against Farson-Eden with 11 points and 5 rebounds. Grady Bartlett followed with 10 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Grant Bartlett scored 7 points and had 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals and Buttle scored 7 points and had 5 rebounds.

The final score was 45-34, Saratoga.

Season thoughts

The Panthers’ 3rd place win at the state tournament marks the 3rd year in a row Saratoga has made an appearance in Casper and have come away with a trophy. Two years before, the seniors now leading the team were sophomores as the Panthers won the first State Championship in school history. Their junior year, they fought to defend that title in the middle of the Ford Wyoming Center.

“Only three teams get to finish their season with a win and I am so proud of these boys for being able to accomplish that,” said Williams. “I am grateful to the three seniors this year for their four years of hard work and commitment. I am so happy for them that they have been a part of teams that have brought trophies home from the state tournament for three years in a row.”

While Williams is losing Kelton Johnson, Geoffrey Johnson and J.D. Buttle to graduation this year, he will still have talent returning next season with the Bartlett twins—Grant and Grady—along with a number of other juniors who have seen some time on the court this season such as Frank Crimmins, Rowdy Alameda and Deke Herring.