RANGELY | On Friday, Jan. 24, the Panthers boys basketball team hosted the Vail Mountain Gore Rangers. The Rangers entered the contest with a 7-4 record and were second in the conference at the time. The game began with the Panthers executing their offense and playing solid defense. They led 14-10 after the first quarter.
The Rangers improved their offensive execution in the second quarter, scoring several second-chance points. Although the Panthers remained in the game at halftime, the score was 32-24 in favor of the Rangers.
Unfortunately for the Panthers, the Rangers came out of halftime on a 14-0 run. At the end of the third quarter, the scoreboard read 46-26. The Panthers continued to battle in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to as low as 14 points, but ultimately fell to the Rangers 65-35. Landon Bollinger and Lincoln Harris led the Panthers with 13 points each.
The following day, the Panthers hosted the North Park Wildcats from Walden, Colorado. This game was close and exciting from the start. The Panthers trailed 15-14 at the end of the first quarter, scoring 12 of their 14 points in the paint, where they held an advantage. The second quarter was equally tight, and the teams went into halftime tied at 22.
The Panthers utilized their inside game to take a 39-31 lead at the end of the third quarter. They extended their lead to nine points with five minutes left in the game. However, a few key turnovers and clutch 3-point shots by the Wildcats allowed North Park to regain the lead, 50-48, with 30 seconds remaining.
The Panthers came up empty on their final two possessions, and the Wildcats sealed the game with a pair of free throws, handing the Panthers a 54-50 loss. Bollinger led the Panthers with 16 points, while Harris and Marcos Quintana added 15 points each.
