Two points away from perfect

The Saratoga Panthers went to the 1A State Basketball Tournament with the hopes of finishing their perfect season and returning home as state champions. Instead, they took 3rd place following their only loss of the season which came at a margin of just two points.

Going into the tournament, the Panthers faced the Hulett Red Devils, the Burlington Huskies and the Cokeville Panthers to go 2-1 for the weekend and 23-1 for the season.

Panthers vs. Red Devils

On Thursday, Saratoga seemed to have been getting their exorcise as they faced the Red Devils, dealing them a more than 30-point loss.

"They struggled against our speed and we were able to put some pressure on their guards," said Head Coach Jason Williams. "We kind of took advantage of that and were able to build a fairly substantial lead by the 3rd quarter and we able to put in some of our bench players to finish up the game."

The Panthers defeated Hulett 71-39.

Panthers vs. Huskies

On Friday, Saratoga took on the Huskies. During the regular season, the Panthers had dealt a 67-61 loss to Burlington. Williams knew not to underestimate the Huskies and knew Saratoga had to establish dominance over the court as early as possible.

"We started out pretty strong in the 1st quarter and we got ahead by eight or 10 points, but they cut our lead to five points going into halftime," Williams said. "Then the next half they kept chipping away, but we were still ahead. In the 4th quarter with about a minute left, we were ahead by four points and Burlington hit a huge three."

The dynamics of the game had clearly changed with Burlington only being down by one point.

"We didn't score on our next possession and then picked up a foul," Williams said. "They hit one of their free throws and were able to tie it. We went down again and didn't score and as the score indicates Burlington did when it counted."

The Huskies won 53-51.

A perfect season was destroyed in the final 45 seconds by just two points. Williams knew this perfect season going into the tournament would mean a large target on the Panthers back.

"I am sure they scouted us They had played us around Christmas and we watched each other play at regionals," Williams said. "We knew it was going to be a battle. We felt the four teams in the semi-finals were fairly evenly matched."

With the Panthers out of the championship hunt, Williams knew the team had to reach deep and not let the loss get to them on Saturday, as they played for a trophy against the other Panthers. Cokeville had lost to Upton and now faced Saratoga for 3rd place.

Panthers vs. Panthers

As Panther team faced Panther team for 3rd place, it was the fourth time in the season the two teams were playing each other. Add to that Saratoga licking their wounds from the Huskies from the night before.

"It was a challenging game, because we were playing a team for the fourth time," Williams said. "We had to get up after losing a heartbreaking game the night before. I will say we did feel like we were the best team at the tournament, and to lose, even though it was to a really good team, was disappointing."

He knew as the team went into the locker room, most everyone was in shock.

"There were a lot of tears and I told them that there was nothing I could say that was going to magically make the hurt go away," Williams said. "I told them, I didn't know why it happened, but we needed to stick together and get through it as a team."

After the team left the locker room, Williams said he did talk to some of his players individually. One of them said that he was so sad because he felt that it was over.

"I had a chance to reflect for a little bit and I understood where he was coming from," Williams remembered back. "We had this goal all season to get to the state championship and when we lost, there was almost this feeling of 'now what.'"

Williams admits to getting little sleep Friday night and he knew his players were probably going sleepless too.

"Everybody had to come back together and play one more game and win a trophy," Williams said "These seniors are special. They have brought a trophy all three years and here was a chance to bring home a 4th."

Williams told the team to go out and end out on a win.

"Kudos to the boys because they were able to get themselves up and get Friday's game behind them for a little bit and take care of business," Williams said. "They were able to go out at the end of the season with a win, which is really important. That helped a lot."

Their 4th trophy was assured as they won 63-50.

Season's End

Williams said he got many messages from the fans who were heartsick about the loss. Many of these fans didn't even have children attending school.

"I told the boys the reason so many fans were crushed by the loss was because they are an easy team to cheer for," Williams explained. "Therefore people want good things for you. I said you are a team who everybody wants to win and they don't want you to lose. That says a lot about this team's class and integrity."

The winning of the last game did heal the pain of losing their chance at the championship.

"I could really see the shift in their demeanor after the Cokeville game," Williams said. "There were a lot of tears because it was over. It was something they had been looking forward to for a long time. It was a great season and they got to do a lot of really great things."

Williams said he thinks that there was some sadness that the season was over as much as there was sadness that the team didn't get to go to the championship.

"I told them as we headed home that the only loss came at a bad time, but we can't judge our season on that one game when we have all these other accomplishments to be proud of," Williams said. "I told them our loss by two points made the win a one possession game. When you think about how many dozens of possessions one has during one game, and when it comes down to one, there is no reason to hang your head."

Williams said the team is senior heavy and he is very proud to know them.

"I am going to really miss these seniors not just because of what they do on the basketball court, which is exceptional, for sure," Williams said. "They are a fun group to be around. I like to visit with them and joke with them. Many on bus trips would randomly come up to the front and just talk about things that had nothing to do with basketball. They are just good guys and that is what I am going to miss."

Williams admits to being sad.

"It is not because of the loss on Friday night," Williams said. "It is the loss that I am not going to be around these guys because they have been so much fun to be around.But saying that, I am excited for their futures because what they achieved on the basketball court these past four years is just the beginning for these guys. They are going to go on and do more great things and I am excited for that."