Splitting a pair of home games for the second and third games of the season, the Concordia girls’ basketball team advances to 2-1 to start the season.
Against Smoky Valley, the Panthers won 50-16.
The Panthers came out red hot on both ends of the floor, opening the game with a 16-0 lead and keeping the Vikings off the board until 3:12 remaining in the first quarter. Between suffocating defense and perfect execution from the offense, the Panthers led 24-2 to end the first quarter.
Concordia’s defense remained red hot in the second quarter, with the Vikings only scoring two points in the first half of the quarter, as the Panthers’ offense slowly expanded their lead. Two late baskets from Smoky Valley made it a 34-8 Panther lead entering halftime.
The Panthers were able to coast in the second half, with the defensive effort limiting the Vikings to only eight points in the second half, and allowing the reserves to get playing time, with 11 Panthers seeing the court with every player recording a stat in the 50-16 victory.
Jaylin Roush led in scoring with 16 points, two rebounds, a block and an assist.
Avery Kueker had 11 points, four steals and a rebound.
Charlize Cash had eight points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals.
Against Riley County, the Panthers fell 46-34.
The Panthers opened the game with a 3-0 lead early, but Riley County went on a 10-3 run before a Graceyn Weaver three-pointer made it a 10-9 game. The Falcons held a slim three-point lead, to end the quarter with a 13-9 lead.
Both team offenses came out rolling in the second quarter with multiple quality looks, as the Falcons held a 19-16 lead halfway through the quarter. Riley County closed the quarter with a 10-0 run as the Panther offense sputtered despite multiple good looks, as the Falcons led 28-16 at halftime.
Riley County tried to pull away early in the second half, but the Panthers refused to give up. After falling down 39-20, the Panthers scored six straight points to end the quarter down 39-26, still full of confidence.
The fourth quarter wouldn’t go the way the Panthers hoped, using the time to their advantage (plus the Panther defense making the Falcons work for points) Riley County was able to stay just far enough out of reach, as both defenses limited each other’s offense, and the Panthers fell 46-34.
Weaver led in scoring with 13 points and added two steals and two rebounds.
Charlize Cash had nine points, five rebounds, five assists and 10 steals.
Jaylin Roush had five points and three rebounds.
