A weekend where the Powell High School boys’ basketball team needed two victories to lock up the No. 2 seed came up just short. The Panthers split their matchups, defeating Lovell 43-25 on Friday but losing on the road to Lander 64-53 on Saturday.

POWELL 43, LOVELL 25

Needing to start the weekend with a win, the Panthers (11-10 overall, 2-4 3A Northwest) came out on senior night trying to sweep the season series with the Bulldogs (6-13 overall, 0-6 3A Northwest).

Starting all four seniors, PHS came out in a zone defense, which they typically have not done throughout the season.

“The main reason we started in a zone was due to the personnel we had on the floor at the beginning of the game,” Panther head coach Mike Heny said. “Starting the seniors meant we had two posts on the floor and I did not feel like we matched up to Lovell’s starting lineup very well.”

Both teams struggled to score early, playing to a 3-3 tie midway through the quarter. Powell pulled out a slight, 8-5 lead at the end of the period.

The second quarter was much like the first. Both teams struggled to find the basket before a 3-pointer by sophomore Gunnar Erickson sparked a run to end the period as Powell took a 21-13 lead into halftime.

The Panthers came out in the second half with a renewed emphasis on attacking the basket, as they extended the lead to double digits midway through the quarter.

“We just have to remember that we cannot become stagnant on offense so we don’t go through those stretches where we struggle to score,” Heny said. “When we have good ball movement and player movement and are playing aggressively, we get better shots and we force the defense to foul more so we can get points at the free throw line.”

During that Panther run, they unfortunately lost Erickson to a twisted ankle which sidelined him for the rest of the game.

Powell was able to keep Lovell at arms length, leading 32-22 going into the fourth quarter.

In the final period, the Panthers played strong defense, holding Lovell to three points and extending their lead for the 43-25 win.

Senior Zach Ratcliff led the way with 12 points and sophomore Brock Johnson added 10 as the other double digit scorer for the Panthers.

LANDER 64, POWELL 53

On the road Saturday, Powell had an opportunity to take the No. 2 seed at the regional tournament as they battled Lander (9-11 overall, 4-2 3A Northwest).

Heny opted to rest Erickson, to avoid the risk of further injury.

“We kept him out mostly for precaution knowing that this weekend’s [regional] games are the most important,” Heny said. “He was still in some pain on Saturday and it didn’t make sense to risk a more serious injury.”

With Erickson out, fellow sophomore Trey Stenerson was inserted into the starting lineup.

“Trey has really been playing well the last couple of weeks and is really giving us a boost coming off the bench,” Heny said. “He has been shooting the ball very well and is finally looking a lot more comfortable on the offensive end of the floor. His length and ability to handle the ball allows us to have him stretch the defense as well as guard pretty much any position.”

Stenerson and Johnson combined for nine of the Panthers’ first 13 points, as they tried to get the win on the road.

After Powell took a 17-15 lead into the second quarter, Lander made a 5-0 run over the next 2:30 before Stenerson hit a 3-pointer to tie the game.

The Panthers took the lead back at 23-22, but Lander then went on a 10-0 run and went into the locker room up 32-25.

In the third quarter, Lander continued to push the pace, as the Panthers tried to maintain their style of play while not being forced too far into the Tigers’ fast pace.

“They try and speed you up and force you to make mistakes by rushing passes and shots,” Heny said. “We just need to be more patient when we attack the full court pressure until we get them out of position and then take better advantage of early offense in the half court when they are scrambling back to the basket.”

Every time Powell made a small run, Lander answered, as they did not allow the Panthers to come within five points.

The Tigers extended their lead late and took a 12-point advantage into the fourth quarter.

Lander led by as many as 16 points, but Powell pulled within four midway through the quarter as they attempted a late comeback.

Lander answered, however, pushing the lead back to double digits with a minute remaining to take a 64-53 win and the No. 2 seed.

Johnson led the Panthers with 17 and Ratcliff added 12 as the only two double-digit scorers.

REGIONALS

Heading into regionals, the Panthers play a familiar opponent, as they take on No. 2 Mountain View (10-13 overall, 3-3 3A Southwest) at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Panthers will host the tournament alongside the girls, as they try to make a push toward the Class 3A state tournament.

“Tournament play comes down to which team can make the most plays when it matters most,” Heny said. “We have been in a lot of close games and different situations throughout the season and I think that experience will definitely be an advantage this weekend.”

If the Panthers win on Thursday, they will advance to the semifinals against the winner of Worland/Pinedale on Friday at 8:30 p.m. If the Panthers lose, they’ll play the loser of that matchup at 1:30 p.m. Friday.

POWELL 43, LOVELL 25

Points — Zach Ratcliff 12, Brock Johnson 10, Toran Graham 9, Gunnar Erickson 7, Trey Stenerson 5

LANDER 64, POWELL 53

Points — Johnson 17, Ratcliff 12, Stenerson 9, Graham 6, Marshall Lewis 4, Keaton Rowton 3, Jhett Schwahn 2