The regular season is over for the Powell Panthers and head coach Chase Kistler is eager to see which team will appear on the floor at Lander Valley High School today (Thursday) — the high-flying squad that runs over opponents, or the at-times listless team that struggles to keep its focus.

Powell defeated Lander Valley by 20 points in a road contest on Feb. 14 but lost both games against rival Cody and struggled at home on Saturday against Lovell, falling behind by 17 before rallying in the second half to win.

The Panthers had an up-and-down season, going 11-9 overall and 3-3 in Class 3A Northwest play. That earned them the Northwest’s third seed and means they will open at 1:30 p.m. against the Jackson Broncs.

The Panthers handled the Broncs 74-67 on Feb. 21 but Kistler said that doesn’t matter much at this point.

“Not right now,” he said. “Starting tournament play, records are out the window.”

Kistler said his team is at full strength now, as forward Jake Gallagher, who sat out the last two games of the regular season with a sprained right ankle that was placed in a boot, returned to practice Monday and will play in the tourney. A couple players are battling sore throats and aren’t feeling 100 percent but everyone will suit up today.

The team has been led in scoring all season by three seniors: swing man Kalei Smith, who paced all of 3A by averaging more than 25 points per game and adding nearly eight rebounds, almost three assists and two steals; forward Carter Baxter, who was the team’s emotional leader all season while also scoring 13 ppg and leading the Panthers with eight rebounds a game, and point guard Zach Heny, who is averaging more than 11 ppg.

Heny caught fire at the end of the season, scoring 64 points in his final three games.

“We need scoring outside of Kalei and Carter,” Kistler said after the win over Jackson. “And he’s definitely got to step up and be a contributor.”

The second-year head coach said he has been impressed by Baxter’s willingness to do whatever the team needs. He has been a sturdy defender, usually against taller players, a determined rebounder and a reliable scorer.

In the 52-48 loss to Cody on Feb. 26, Baxter took the ball down court several times and dished passes to open teammates.

“He’s definitely our leader,” Kistler said.

Smith now holds school records for points in a game, season and career. He has dazzled fans with dunks and drives while often guarding a post player on defense and then bringing the ball up court on offense.

But it’s also been a senior season pockmarked by flashes of anger on the court, technical fouls and a one-game suspension for an academic reason. Kistler said Smith will start in the regional tourney but he must handle his emotions.

“He’s got to be more aware of that,” he said.

If Powell gets past Jackson, they will play the winner of the Cody-Pinedale game on Friday night. The winner of that semifinal contest earns a state tourney berth; the loser will head into the losers’ bracket to try to land a shot at state.

But first, Powell has to defeat Jackson again. On Feb. 21, Heny led PHS in scoring against the Broncs, netting 25. Smith scored 22 points and Baxter added 17.

Jackson devised an unusual strategy, fouling Powell players throughout the second half in an order to cut the lead and keep the clock from running.

The Panthers shot a season-high 53 free throws, making 38. Heny was especially busy at the line, attempting 20 and making 16, including a 9 for 10 performance.

“They were just trying to stop the clock as much as possible,” Kistler said. “I hope we don’t shoot free throws the entire time but if we do I guess that means we’re winning.”

Brenner Peterson and Henry Geraci have led the Broncs this season, both scoring about 13 points per contest. Brenner has been the leading rebounder at seven per game while Geraci has handed out close to four assists.

Kistler said the Panthers have a legitimate chance at the regional and state titles.

“I think we’re just as equal as anybody else,” he said. “We have as good a shot as anybody else. It’s kind of who puts it together in each tournament.”