{gallery}03_11_10/phsbball{/gallery}Powell junior Leslie Thronburg glides through the air for a bucket against the Pinedale Wranglers during 3A West regional action last week. Starting today (Thursday), the Panthers are in Casper in pursuit of a bigger objective — capturing a 3A girls' state basketball championship. Updates will appear on the Powell Tribune's blog. Courtesy photo/Greg Wise Lady panthers face wheatland in state openerThe Powell High School girls' basketball team begins its bid for a Class 3A state championship against Wheatland today (Thursday).The Lady Panthers enter the state tournament in Casper with the No. 2 seed from Class 3A West. Jackson's Lady Broncs (17-8), the three-time defending state champions, are the West's No. 1 seed after taking a 42-36 decision over PHS at last weekend's regional tournament. Mountain View (20-7) and Cody (18-8) claimed the West's No. 3 and 4 seeds, respectively.

From the East come No. 1 Buffalo (20-4), No. 2 Douglas (16-9), No. 3 Wheatland (18-8) and No. 4 Torrington (13-13).

The Lady Panthers first tangle with Wheatland at 10:30 a.m. today (Thursday) at the Casper Events Center.

“They're a young team, but they've got some really good athletes,” said PHS head coach Luke Danforth of Wheatland's squad, adding, “They play both man and zone (defense), so we're not quite sure what to expect out of them defensively.”

PHS got the better of Wheatland in the season-opening East-West Classic tourney, beating the Lady Bulldogs 42-36 on Dec. 15.

A win against Wheatland now would put the Lady Panthers in Friday's 4:30 p.m. semi-final match with the victor of a Buffalo-Cody match-up. A loss would have Powell playing the loser of that contest at 9 a.m. on Friday.

The state tournament is double elimination. A loss in a team's opening matchup drops them to the consolation bracket, while the losers of the semi-final contests play for the third place title.

The full tournament bracket, along with live game updates, are available at www.whsaa.org.

Danforth said all eight teams from Class 3A have a chance to make it to the trophy matches on Saturday.

“To be honest, I don't think you can count anybody out,” he said.

State tournament schedule

Class 3A girls

Thursday, March 11

(all games at the Events Center)

Game 1 — 9 a.m., Buffalo vs. Cody

Game 2 — 10:30 a.m., Powell vs. Wheatland

Game 3 — 4:30 p.m., Douglas vs. Mountain View

Game 4 — 6 p.m., Jackson vs. Torrington

Friday, March 12

(all games at Casper College)

9 a.m. — Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 (loser eliminated)

10:30 a.m. — Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 (loser eliminated)

4:30 p.m. — Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2

6 p.m. — Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4

Saturday, March 13

(all games at the Events Center)

9 a.m. — 3A Consolation Championship

10:30 a.m. —3A Third-place game

The 3A girls championship game will follow the conclusion of the 4A girls title contest and awards presentation.