Panthers end 2013 with 2 wins

RANGELY I The Rangely Panthers boys’ basketball team ended the 2013 part of the basketball season with two wins, and they are looking forward to the stretch in 2014.
The Panthers defeated the Little Snake River Rattlers, 50-46, on Thursday in Baggs, Wyo., and then traveled to Walden and defeated the North Park Wildcats, 45-33, on Friday.
“It’s been fun so far, so we are going to enjoy a short break and then start preparing for what is probably our toughest five-game stretch of the season, to start the new year,” head coach Eric Hejl said.
Rangely senior Cameron Enterline and sophomore Kaulan Brady led the Panthers in scoring against the Rattlers, where each scored 12 points. Enterline also pulled down 10 rebounds. Mitchell Webber and Colt Allred each finished with eight, Andrew Morton added seven and Connor Phelan had three.
“We really played a good game and stayed true to our game plan, other than the fact we shot poorly from the foul line,” Hejl said of the game in Baggs.
Against the Wildcats, the Panthers led 6-4 at the end of the first quarter in Kremmling, but trailed 19-14 at halftime.
“I challenged the guys at halftime, and they decided they were going to dig in and do whatever it took to get it done and they did,” Hejl said.
The Panthers outscored the Wildcats 31-14 in the second half to win the game. Enterline led the Panthers with 15 points and 12 rebounds and Webber followed with 14 points and nine boards. Phelan added 10 points, Morton had four and Allred added two.
“I think it is safe for me to say that this group has been one of my best in terms of buying into a ‘team mentality,’ and they are seeing the positive results, which, hopefully, just feed the fire,” Hejl said.