Special to the HT
RANGELY | On Feb. 19, the Panthers boys basketball team traveled to Kremmling, Colorado, to take on the West Grand Mustangs. The Panthers won the first matchup of the season between the two teams at their home tournament in December, 54-41.
From the tipoff, this game was a defensive battle. The halftime score was 12-10 in favor of the Panthers. The second half saw a more offensive showing, with both teams scoring more points in the third quarter than they did in the entire first half. After three quarters, the Panthers held a 24-23 lead.
In the later stages of the fourth quarter, the Panthers began to pull away and secured their seventh victory of the season with a 38-31 win. Marcos Quintana led the team with 14 points, while Kacey Allred added 10.
On Feb. 22, the Panthers hosted the Grand Valley Cardinals. The Cardinals entered the game with a 10-10 record, including an 8-2 mark in league play. They established control early, taking a 19-7 lead after the first quarter and heading into halftime up 38-20.
The Panthers tightened their defense in the second half and played more evenly with the Cardinals, but the slow start proved too much to overcome as they fell 64-41. Quintana led the Panthers with 13 points, followed by Landon Bollinger with 10, Kacey Allred with 9, and Clay Allred with 7.
The Panthers will conclude their season on the road next weekend at Evangelical Christian Academy in Colorado Springs.