Powell High School’s freshman girls’ basketball team entered Monday with momentum, starting the year 2-1 — and it added another to the win column against Cody.

The Panthers sailed to a 50-20 victory over the Fillies, their second win in a row. They allowed just five points in the first two quarters, holding a 17-5 advantage at the break.

An efficient full-court press from Powell forced this early drought for Cody.

“We want to play with a lot of energy, so the press plays into that,” PHS head coach Andrew Borcher said. “We want to fly around causing problems and trying to get as many traps as we can. We wanted to take Cody out of what they wanted to do offensively by pressuring them.”

Just as the press paved the way for stingy defense, Powell’s up-tempo offense allowed the Panthers to extend their lead in the late stages of the game.

“Our goal on offense is to push the ball anytime we can and play up-tempo,” Borcher said. “This might not make a big difference in the first or second quarter but by the third and fourth quarters is where you see the separation. Cody was not wanting to play at our pace, and we wore them out.”

Brynn Hillman led the scoring effort with 17 points, the fourth time of the season she’s led the team. Despite a slow start, “she continued to shoot” as the game progressed “and was rewarded,” the coach said.

Gracie Wolff also reached double figures with 11 points, and Borcher felt that she “attacked the rim well and had a nice game.” Waycee Harvey chipped in with nine points and “did a nice job of running the point guard position as well as facilitating and running the offense,” Borcher said.

The freshman squad takes the court next on Monday, Jan. 11, facing Lovell on the road. Tipoff is scheduled at 5 p.m.