RANGELY | The Rangely Panthers started their week with a match with West Grand on Tuesday, Feb. 23. It was definitely a defensive game with both teams coming out strong and holding each other to 20 points in the first half. In the third quarter the Panthers found their posts and got Sydney Cole eight of the 17 points that were scored. With this push on offense, the boys turned their momentum to defense and held West Grand to 10 points. The Mustangs kept Rangely’s offense from getting to the rim in the fourth, forcing half of their points to come from free throws. Even though West Grand tried to make a push in the fourth they could not overcome the third quarter lead. The Panthers earned their second league victory with a score of 48-43. Cole led the Panthers on defense with 10 rebounds followed by Gabe Polley with seven and Timothy Scoggins with six. Offensively, Keihlin Myers showed his vision on the court with five assists and Cole led in scoring with 20 points.
The Panthers headed to Hayden on Friday. Rangely found their posts early, outscoring the Tigers 16-11. With the Panthers facing foul trouble in the second quarter, Hayden came roaring back to take a 31-18 lead into halftime. The Rangely boys quickly adjusted in the second half. Kevin Wren heated up at the three point line, and the guards found the dish down to Polley. While the Panthers outscored the Tigers 27-17 in the last half, the second quarter lead proved to be too much, ending in a close loss of 45-48. Defensively, Sydney Cole found 10 rebounds and three blocks. On the offensive side, Gabe Polley led with 18 points and Kevin Wren closely followed with 14.
Saturday, the Panthers played the Soroco Rams. Starting out strong in the first quarter, Rangely scored 17 and held the Rams to 15. Soroco quickly adapted however, effectively shutting down the inside game. In the second half the Rams continued to foil Rangely’s attempts on the inside while also spreading out the Panther defense for a drive to the basket. This led to a final score of 45-77. Once again Cole led the Panthers with 12 rebounds followed by Travis Coates with five boards. Offensively Cole also led the team in points with 15 followed by Wren with seven. Head coach Kyle Boydstun had this to say following this week’s games, “I thought the boys played with great effort this weekend and I’m very proud of the improvement they’ve made.”
Rangely returns to the hardwood on Thursday, March 4 to host the Meeker boys JV at 4 p.m. and their varsity at 6 p.m. The Panthers will end their regular season by traveling to Paonia on Saturday to take on their varsity boys at 1 p.m.
Special to the Herald Times
