PHS scores elusive win in first 2010 contestChase Partridge broke out for 22 points and nine rebounds and the Powell High School Panthers unleashed a swarming defensive effort to rally for a 49-45 win at Mountain View on Friday night. The victory was the first of the season for the Powell boys. The lengthy road trip didn't appear to faze the Panthers, who jumped to a 12-7 lead in the opening quarter. Mountain View recovered to turn the tables for a 24-23 halftime lead and stretched its advantage to six points as the game entered the final quarter.

From there, the Panthers turned the defensive intensity up a notch. PHS held the host Buffaloes to just three points over the final eight minutes. Partridge's shot in the paint with 20 seconds remaining re-claimed the lead for the Panthers. Following a missed shot attempt by Mountain View, the sophomore locked up the game for Powell with a pair of free throws in the closing seconds.

“Chase had a very solid all-around game,” said Panther coach Mike Heny. “He was really our spark on offense early.”

The Panthers' coach also pointed to two other statistics from the contest. Heny observed his team was guilty of a season-low 14 turnovers in the contest. The Panthers also connected on 19 of their 25 free-throw attempts.

A.J. Anderson and David Starcevich each added 10 points for the Panthers in the victory.

Powell was unable to string together back-to-back wins on Saturday, falling 62-41 at Lyman. The Panthers found themselves attempting to play catch-up throughout the afternoon as Lyman vaulted to a 16-point first quarter lead which they never relinquished.

Anderson was the lone player to reach double figures in the contest for Powell, finishing with 11 points. Partridge added nine points in support while Josh Cragoe pulled down 11 rebounds.

Powell, now 1-8 for the year, hosts Rocky Mountain on Thursday night. The team will entertain Lander on Saturday afternoon in another home contest.

Powell 49, MTN Vw 45

Scoring: David Starcevich 10, Cooper Wise 3, Josh Cragoe 3, Regan Soloai 1, A.J. Anderson 10, Chase Partridge 22.

Team leaders: Partridge (9 rebounds), Partridge and Starcevich (4 steals), Wise (5 assists).

Lyman 62, Powell 41

Scoring: Starcevich 6, Wise 6, Cragoe 4, Soloai 2, Anderson 11, Bill Harshman 3, Partridge 9.

Team leaders: Cragoe (11 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 assists), Starcevich (3 assists).