STATCHAT: WINDING DOWN
The PHS Panthers prepare of the upcoming post seasons in wrestling, basketball, and swimming.
PHS junior, Kaili Wisniewski squares up to the basket for a free throw in the Powell-Cody game on Jan. 30
February 9, 2021
The Panthers kept their trend of success, or lack thereof, steady through the week of Jan. 25-31. With another busy week in the books, the Panthers are cleaning up for the upcoming postseason.
The Panther basketball team reached the 60-point mark on the scoreboard in both of their back to back games. PHS shut down the Bulldogs 65-43 in Lovell on Jan. 29. The following night they did the same thing to the Cody Broncs in the highly anticipated Powell-Cody rivalry game; the Panthers prevailed 60-43. The boys sit comfortably at No. 2 in the 3A Northwest quadrant with an 10-2 record (PHS picked up two additional victories Feb. 5-6).
“We played really well across the board,” head basketball coach, Mr. Mike Heny said. “And we took care of the ball really well against Cody. We’re starting to clean up every part of [the game]. [But] we still have a long way to go to reach our potential [before playoffs].”
The Lady Panthers, however, haven’t enjoyed the same level of success. The girls lost a close one in Lovell 42-54 and were unable to pick themselves up before the opening buzzer in their game against the Fillies which ended in a 28-52 loss. Hopes of a playoff run aren’t looking good for the Lady Panthers who remain at the bottom of the Northwestern conference with a 4-8 record. (PHS split their two games Feb. 5-6.)
The Panther wrestlers continue to improve and impress. And with their win column increasing, the Panthers are looking like state contenders. With a 48-18 domination of the Lander Tigers at the Ron Thon Wrestling Tournament in Riverton, the wrestlers are riding high near the end of the season. However, the Panthers did take a loss to class 4A Kelly Walsh 46-21.
head wrestling coach Mr. Nick Fulton said. “And that seems to be paying off. We will focus more and more on individual techniques and pushing to be sure that we are the best conditioned team, and maintain our health for our regional event.”
As the end of the season creeps closer, the boys’ swim team continues to secure top places in competitions. The Panthers traveled to Worland on Jan. 26 and dominated the competition. The boys put up 355 points to surpass Worland’s 339 points, Newcastle (151) points and Cody (140). Later in the week on Jan. 29, the boys went up and over the mountain where Buffalo overcame the Panthers 109-79. Although the Panthers did not take first, they out-swam both the Douglas Bearcats and the Cody Broncs.
The top swimmers at Worland were Tarren Blackmore and Nate Johnston. And the top swimmers at Buffalo were Ru Parker, Nate Johnston and Tarren Blackmore once again. At these meets, the boys also set multiple new personal records.
