Two dominant performances by the Powell Panther girls’ basketball team helped open up 3A Northwest quadrant play 2-0, defeating Thermopolis 54-10 and Worland 49-22 at home on Friday and Saturday.

POWELL 54, THERMOPOLIS 10

In the first of two rematches from a week ago the Panthers (9-2 overall, 2-0 3A Northwest) were looking for another fast start against the Bobcats (3-8 overall, 0-1 3A Northwest) in Panther Gymnasium.

Powell was unable to find the basket in the first two minutes, before Addy Thorington and Waycee Harvey scored six points to give the Panthers the lead.

Thermopolis scored with 1:30 left in the first quarter, but a late 3-pointer by Coy Erickson had Powell leading 9-2 heading into the second.

The game opened up for Powell in the full court, with the press paying dividends and giving the Panthers momentum and a 19-2 lead.

Powell continued to push before the half, and ended up heading into the locker room with a 26-2 lead.

“We just wanted to take more pride in our defense,” coach Chelsea Kistler said. “I think that the first time around we got a good lead and then we kind of put our guard down and let them do what they want rather than dictate the game.”

The third quarter had more of the same, with the Panthers continuing to dominate on both ends of the court and further expanding the lead.

That lead slightly grew midway through the quarter up 32-6, before a small push at the end helped Powell lead 39-6 after the third quarter.

The Panthers cruised in the fourth, hitting a running clock after a Lauryn Bennett free throw with 3:12 left made it 50-10.

Powell finished with a 54-10 win and an opening quadrant victory.

“I just want to keep growing and not stay at the same place with each game we play,” Kistler said. “We didn’t score as much as the first game but our defense was outstanding.”

Erickson led with 16 points and five steals while going 4-6 from 3-point range. 

Thorington finished with a 12 point, 10 rebound double-double.

Powell forced 33 turnovers in the game, while also grabbing 14 offensive rebounds to six for the Bobcats.

POWELL 49, WORLAND 22

In a championship game rematch from the Big Horn Basin Classic the Panthers hoped to get the better of the Warriors (3-8 overall, 0-2 3A Northwest) once again.

In an identical start from the day before, Harvey and Thorington kicked off the scoring for the Panthers.

“She (Harvey) has been consistent across the board,” Kistler said. “Her points fluctuate a little bit but she is really looking to attack seams this year. She does a really good job of seeing the floor and being a rebounder as a guard for us. It’s been nice to see her step up across the board this year.”

Worland came out strong, keeping the score close at 10-6 as all the Panther starters were involved early.

Powell pushed the lead out to double-digits behind Thorington and Saige Kidd, finishing the quarter with an 18-10 lead.

In the second the Panthers grew that advantage, pushing it further out to 28-13 midway through the quarter.

Neither team scored over the next two minutes before an even finish over the final two minutes saw Powell go in with a 30-15 lead behind 20 combined from Harvey and Thorington.

Low scoring by both teams started the second half, with Worland slightly outscoring the Panthers to a 31-17 scoreline midway through.

“They’re just a tough team to play because of their ability to slow the game down,” Kistler said.

Worland added one more on a free throw after an intentional foul by Erickson, and Powell finally ended the scoring drought on a Bennett bucket off a steal.

Another basket by each team ended the quarter and sent the game to the fourth with a 35-19 scoreline.

Strong shooting and pressure kicked off the fourth for Powell, led by Erickson’s shooting along with defensive intensity by Ivy Agee.

The lead quickly grew to 42-20, and Powell pulled away to ensure a 2-0 start with a 49-22 victory.

Powell dominated the boards, finishing with 40 rebounds compared to 20 for the Warriors.

“Our rebounding was outstanding, which is impressive because they are not small,” Kistler said.

Harvey led with 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Thorington once again had a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds, also finishing with seven blocks in the contest.

“We’ve had a conversation with her about being smart, not overdoing it and making it like volleyball (with her blocks),” Kistler said. “Rather just stand there and let them put it into her hands. She’s been better at applying that rule.”

Erickson chipped in 11 as the other Panther in double-figures.

The victory was the seventh in a row for the Panthers, the largest win streak under Kistler in her fifth year at the helm.

BUSY MIDWEEK

After the team’s sixth straight home game, the Panthers will hit the road this week for a pair of contests close to home.

Powell will first be looking for a rivalry revenge game, hoping to beat the Cody Fillies (9-1 overall, 3-0 4A Northwest) after losing the prior contest at home in December on a buzzer-beater 48-47.

That was the last Panther loss.  Powell now sits in a tie for No. 4 in the WyoPreps Coaches and Media poll while Cody is the No. 2-ranked team in 4A.

That game is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff in Cody on Tuesday (today).

“Another rematch with them at their place on a weird night. It’ll be interesting to see how we show up on a Tuesday,” Kistler said. “I think they have stayed hungry for this game since the last time we met. They want another opportunity. Win or lose it’s another chance to get better, it’s a team who is very good, very disciplined and well coached.”

After Tuesday, the Panthers will travel the opposite direction to Big Horn County, heading to Lovell to take on the Bulldogs (9-5 overall, 1-0 3A Northwest).

That contest will tip off at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, with the winner taking early control of the 3A Northwest after Lovell defeated Worland this past weekend.

“Our focus still has to be towards Lovell because that is the one that ultimately counts for conference,” Kistler said. “A lot of our focus is going to be on Lovell. We have to go to their place which is always difficult.”

POWELL 54, THERMOPOLIS 10

Total rebounds then offensive rebounds in ()

Points — Coy Erickson 16, Addy Thorington 12, Catelynn Floy 7, Waycee Harvey 6, Alexa Richardson 4, Emery Hernandez 4, Lauryn Bennett 4, Ivy Agee 1

Rebounds — Addy Thorington 10 (4), Alexa Richardson 6 (3), Saige Kidd 5 (2), Waycee Harvey 3 (2), Coy Erickson 3 (1), Catelynn Floy 3 (1), Ivy Agee 2, Emery Hernandez 2 (1), Lauryn Bennett 1 (1)

Assists — Waycee Harvey 5, Ivy Agee 2, Alexa Richardson 1, Coy Erickson 1, Catelynn Floy 1

Steals — Coy Erickson 5, Saige Kidd 3, Alexa Richardson 2, Ivy Agee 2, Emery Hernandez 2, Waycee Harvey 1, Addy Thorington 1, Kenzie Fields 1, Lauryn Bennett 1

Blocks — Addy Thorington 4, Ivy Agee 1, Coy Erickson 1, Saige Kidd 1

POWELL 49, WORLAND 22

Points — Waycee Harvey 12, Coy Erickson 11, Addy Thorington 10, Catelynn Floy 5, Saige Kidd 4, Ivy Agee 3, Emery Hernandez 2, Lauryn Bennett 2

Rebounds — Addy Thorington 14 (7), Waycee Harvey 8 (3), Saige Kidd 7 (5), Catelynn Floy 6 (1), Ivy Agee 2 (1), Alexa Richardson 1, Coy Erickson 1, Emery Hernandez 1 (1)

Assists — Waycee Harvey 4, Alexa Richardson 3, Addy Thorington 3, Ivy Agee 2, Lauryn Bennett 2, Saige Kidd 1, Catelynn Floy 1

Steals — Waycee Harvey 4, Addy Thorington 2, Emery Hernandez 2, Saige Kidd 2, Ivy Agee 1, Coy Erickson 1

Blocks — Addy Thorington 7, Saige Kidd 1