PHS begins conference season with wins over Riverton, Lander

Powell High School’s girls sprinted into the conference basketball season with weekend wins at Riverton 44-30 Friday and at home 55-44 over Lander Saturday.

With the victories, the Lady Panthers are tied with Cody for first place in the 3A West North Quadrant. Both boast a 2-0 quadrant conference record.

“We’ve had so many different girls lead us in scoring or have great games that you can’t really zero in one person,” said head coach Scott McKenzie of the games over the weekend and season.

Against Riverton on Friday night, McKenzie lauded the defense, especially in the first half: Powell held Riverton to only five points in the first quarter while scoring 10 themselves. At halftime, Powell led 24-13.

Riverton managed only five points again in the third quarter, and Powell took a 34-18 lead into the final period.

During the fourth quarter, the Lady Wolverines made a bit of a run and outscored the Lady Panthers 12-10.

Rachelle Cole’s one offensive board of the game came in the fourth quarter and was put back for a basket.

Coach McKenzie said the rebound and basket knocked the wind out of Riverton.

“Kind of nice game where a couple girls made some runs for us offensively,” he said.

Some of those offensive runs included Katie McKenzie hitting three 3-pointers and Jennifer Bonander scoring eight of her 18 points in the third quarter.

Eight of the 10 players who suited up to play had at least one assist.

Tayli Stenerson led in assists with seven and had two steals.

“I was really proud that anytime Riverton kind of made a run at us, our girls had good poise to just dig in and just stop those runs and answer them,” said coach McKenzie.

Overall, Cole had 11 boards, three assists and two steals.

“That was the best game I have ever seen her play,” the coach said. “She just did a great job for us.”

Rachel Bonander contributed eight rebounds, four steals, three blocks and one assist.

Along with Jennifer Bonander’s 18 points, she had six boards, one assist and one block.

Maddy Hanks had seven boards, two assists and five points.

“A good win on the road,” coach McKenzie said. “Riverton is a tough place to play; they have basketball fans there that come out and watch.”

Powell shot 25 percent from 3-point range, 54 percent on 2-point tries and 30 percent at the free throw line.

The Lady Panthers played Lander Saturday for the team’s first home game.

“(The) girls were really excited to play at home in front of the fans,” said coach McKenzie.

At halftime, Powell led 27-16

Coach McKenzie said Lander had two really good runs in the second half and liked the way his team responded.

“Felt our girls just dug in and answered those runs,” he said.

In the third quarter, the Lady Tigers outscored the Lady Panthers 15-11, but the Panthers clung to a 38-31 lead. In the fourth quarter, Powell outscored Lander 17-13 for a 55-44 victory.

“So both nights, back to back nights where teams tried to make a run at us, we were able to answer those (runs),” said coach McKenzie.

Stenerson led the team with 14 points and Jennifer Bonander posted back-to-back nights of double-digit scoring with 13. Stenerson and Hanks each had five assists, while every Panther player who got into the game had at least one assist.

Seven of the 10 players had at least one steal, with Hanks leading with three.

“All three of those steals came at big times in the game,” said coach McKenzie. “She just plays hard for us all the time.”

On the boards, Rachel Bonander, Jennifer Bonander and Cole each led with eight. Those three players combined for 24 of Powell’s 41 rebounds.

“They really did a good job of cleaning up the rebounds for us,” said coach McKenzie.

On the defensive end, he said Dani Asay played big and was solid defensively on one of Lander’s best players.

After watching his team shoot just 50 percent from the free throw line, McKenzie said, “We’re just going to continue to work on free throws in practice.”

PHS sank 20 percent of their tries from 3-point range, but hit 58 percent of its 2-pointers.

Next up for the Lady Panthers is another conference game, hosting Cody at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Not only will it be a rivalry game, but also a battle for the conference lead.

“Big game and hope to get a nice crowd to come support the girls,” said coach McKenzie, adding, “Cody is a good team, very athletic, very fast and playing well right now so we will have to play one of our best games.”

After Friday’s game against Cody, Powell will host Worland — who’s been ranked all season — at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the PHS gym.