By DON AMEND and CJ BAKERPowell Panther Jordan Brown and Lady Panthers Hannah Pollart and Savannah Donarski have been named to the 3A all-state basketball teams for their performances on the court this season.The three also were named to the West all-conference teams, along with Panther Ryan Brandt and Lady Panther McKenzie Danforth. Panther Coach Troy Hildebrand said Brown, who led the Panthers in scoring per game, assists, steals and blocked shots, deserves the honor. “Jordan has been an incredible player to watch grow and improve over the last three seasons,” Hildebrand said.Brown also earned all-conference honors last year, but Hildebrand said this year he made it in a different role.“Last year, it was more from the role of facilitator as our point guard getting the ball to the right places and scoring when the chance was there along with his tremendous defense,” Hildebrand said. “This year he was still one of the top defenders in our conference but nearly doubled his scoring output for us while still being near the top of the state in assists.“He is the ultimate team player, and I am very proud of the fact that he earned the respect of other 3A coaches in being selected to the all-state team,” Hildebrand said.Hildebrand called Brandt, also a repeater on the all-conference team, “a solid contributer for the past three seasons.“He was certainly a player that teams had to prepare for when they planned out their defense against us,” Hildebrand said. “It was nice to have a post player that had the range to step out and work consistently around the free-throw line.”Brandt was the team's top scorer for the year as well as the leading rebounder.The Panthers finished the season with a 15-12 record and made their first trip to state in several years, where they won the consolation championship.On the girls side, Coach Luke Danforth said the all-state honors for Pollart and Donarski were well deserved.Pollart, who also received all-state honors last year, averaged 13.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game to lead the Lady Panthers in both categories. Donarski was close behind with 11 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.Both players are juniors, and Danforth said, “it's great that both of our all-state selections will be back next year.”In addition to the all-conference honors awarded Pollart, Donarski and McKenzie Danforth, three Lady Panthers — seniors Kelsey Allen and Darcee Lynn and sophomore Leslie Thronburg — received honorable mentions for the conference squad.Additionally, McKenzie Danforth was named an alternate to play in the North-South senior all-star game that will take place this summer.Coach Danforth said he was proud of all six girls.“I think it's a testament to their hard work and their ability to make things happen on the floor,” Danforth said. He added that the individual honors reflect the strong play of the team as a whole.The Lady Panthers went 23-3 this season, finishing as runners-up in Class 3A. They were defined by a tough defense that held opponents to just 27 percent shooting.

By DON AMEND and CJ BAKER

Powell Panther Jordan Brown and Lady Panthers Hannah Pollart and Savannah Donarski have been named to the 3A all-state basketball teams for their performances on the court this season.

The three also were named to the West all-conference teams, along with Panther Ryan Brandt and Lady Panther McKenzie Danforth.

Panther Coach Troy Hildebrand said Brown, who led the Panthers in scoring per game, assists, steals and blocked shots, deserves the honor.

“Jordan has been an incredible player to watch grow and improve over the last three seasons,” Hildebrand said.

Brown also earned all-conference honors last year, but Hildebrand said this year he made it in a different role.

“Last year, it was more from the role of facilitator as our point guard getting the ball to the right places and scoring when the chance was there along with his tremendous defense,” Hildebrand said. “This year he was still one of the top defenders in our conference but nearly doubled his scoring output for us while still being near the top of the state in assists.

“He is the ultimate team player, and I am very proud of the fact that he earned the respect of other 3A coaches in being selected to the all-state team,” Hildebrand said.

Hildebrand called Brandt, also a repeater on the all-conference team, “a solid contributer for the past three seasons.

“He was certainly a player that teams had to prepare for when they planned out their defense against us,” Hildebrand said. “It was nice to have a post player that had the range to step out and work consistently around the free-throw line.”

Brandt was the team's top scorer for the year as well as the leading rebounder.

The Panthers finished the season with a 15-12 record and made their first trip to state in several years, where they won the consolation championship.

On the girls side, Coach Luke Danforth said the all-state honors for Pollart and Donarski were well deserved.

Pollart, who also received all-state honors last year, averaged 13.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game to lead the Lady Panthers in both categories. Donarski was close behind with 11 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.

Both players are juniors, and Danforth said, “it's great that both of our all-state selections will be back next year.”

In addition to the all-conference honors awarded Pollart, Donarski and McKenzie Danforth, three Lady Panthers — seniors Kelsey Allen and Darcee Lynn and sophomore Leslie Thronburg — received honorable mentions for the conference squad.

Additionally, McKenzie Danforth was named an alternate to play in the North-South senior all-star game that will take place this summer.

Coach Danforth said he was proud of all six girls.

“I think it's a testament to their hard work and their ability to make things happen on the floor,” Danforth said.

He added that the individual honors reflect the strong play of the team as a whole.

The Lady Panthers went 23-3 this season, finishing as runners-up in Class 3A. They were defined by a tough defense that held opponents to just 27 percent shooting.