RHS JV team earns split in two nailbiters

RANGELY — Boring is one word you won’t hear when people are talking about either of the games this past weekend for the Rangely JV boys’ basketball team.
On Friday, the Panthers hosted Vail Christian and for most of the game things just weren’t going the Panthers’ way. After only scoring five points in the first quarter, the second quarter was a little more kind, but the Cats still trailed 20-26 at the halfway mark. The third quarter was back and forth, but the home team was unable to cut into the V.C. lead and found themselves looking up at an 11-point deficit.
This is when the tide began to turn. Aggressive defense converted to offense on the other end, and midway through the fourth quarter the Panthers were within six when they took another blow.
Kacey Denny fouled out of the game with 12 points, and that left Rangely with only four players and they would have to try and complete the comeback shorthanded, and that’s exactly what they did.
Some clutch shooting by Ethan Peacock (16 points) and Mark Perzinski (19 points) kept the Panthers alive and they were able to send the game to overtime. In the extra frame, Peacock stepped up and outscored the Saints 7-5 by himself, including two crucial free throws in the game’s final minute to seal the game. This was a fantastic win considering the last eight minutes of the game were played with only four Panthers on the court.
On Saturday, the JV boys took on Hayden in a game where they were hoping to avenge a four-point loss in the first game of this season. They came out strong and led 15-7 at the end of the first, only to see that lead evaporate to two points at halftime, where they led 25-23. The third quarter was more like the first, thanks to Denny putting up 13 of the Panthers’ 18 points in the quarter and Rangely once again extended its lead to seven.
Unfortunately, costly fouls, and turnovers in the fourth quarter allowed the Tigers back in the game, and the Panthers weren’t able to hold on. They fell 59-55 in another exciting finish. Denny led the Cats with a season-high 25 points, with Perzinski giving another solid scoring effort with 22.