When the Class 3A West Regional Tournament begins today (Thursday) in Worland, the Powell High School Panthers will have a clear goal in mind — finish in the top four.If the Panthers can successfully complete that mission, they will earn a berth in the state tournament in Casper March 12-14. During the 2007-08 slate, the Panthers (11-9 overall, 7-7 West Conference) enjoyed one of their best seasons in recent years. But when the regional tournament concluded, so did their season. The Panthers, who came up one win shy of the top four at last year's regional, were forced to watch as eight other teams from the East and West conferences battled it out for supremacy in Class 3A. That's a scenario the Panthers hope to avoid this time around.“It was disappointing last year when we didn't make it to state,” said PHS head coach Troy Hildebrand. “Going into regionals, we felt like we were one of the top four teams in our conference, but we came up one win short of making it to state. As disappointing as that was, we've used that experience and turned it into a positive. Five of our guys played a lot of minutes in last year's regional, and they all want to get to state this time. They've worked hard, and I think we're as prepared as we can be. We just have to take care of the things we can control.”The first team standing in the way of PHS and its goal will be Jackson, a squad that has been a thorn in the Panthers' side this season. Jackson, which is the fourth-seeded team in the regional tournament bracket, is 2-0 against the Panthers this year. Both games with fifth-seeded PHS were decided in overtime, and the Panthers are looking to gain a measure of revenge when the two teams face off at 10:30 today (Thursday).“Our guys are excited about that matchup,” Hildebrand said. “We've had two close games with them, and in both of those they found a way to win. This time around, we'll hopefully find a way to make the plays we need to get over the hump against them.”During the most recent matchup with Jackson on Feb. 6, the Broncs edged PHS 46-43 and snapped a six-game winning streak by the Panthers. As a testament to how even the teams are, that matchup was the fourth straight overtime contest between the two squads dating back to last season. In those four games, PHS is 1-3.For the Panthers to reverse their fortunes against the Broncs, Hildebrand said his team will need to continue its strong defensive play and continue to make baskets, particularly free throws, when they count the most in close games. In many of PHS's wins, strong efforts at the free-throw line have propelled the Panthers past their opponents. Just last week during PHS's victory in their regular-season finale, the Panthers hit five of their last six free throws in a 36-32 decision over rival Cody. Among the players Hildebrand will be counting on to help the Panthers navigate their way through the tournament this week will be Jordan Brown, Ryan Brandt, Matt McArthur and Galen Mills. Those four, after 20 games, are the team's leading scorers. Brown is averaging 11.4 points per game, and Brandt is close behind (11.1 ppg). McArthur and Galen Mills are averaging 10.3 and eight points, respectively.Brown, in addition to his points totals, also leads the Panthers in a number of other areas, including free throws made and attempted (56 of 79), assists (4.1 apg), steals (2.9 spg), blocks (.8 blks pg). Brandt is the leader on the boards for PHS with 8.9 rebounds per game, and McArthur has contributed 6.1 boards per game.Other teams competing in the regional tournament include Kemmerer, Worland, Lovell, Pinedale, Lyman and Cody. Kemmerer, the No. 1 seed and the second-ranked team in Class 3A, is among the favorites to claim the regional title. However, second-seeded Worland and third-seeded Lovell expect to make a charge for the top honor as well.“Anything can happen,” Hildebrand said of each team's shot at claiming one of the qualifying spots for the tournament. “When it gets to be this time of year, there can definitely be some surprises.”Should the Panthers win their opening-round game against Jackson, they will advance to play the winner of the Kemmerer-Cody contest on Friday at 5:30 p.m. A first-round loss by the Panthers will put them in the Friday game at 6 p.m. against the loser of the Kemmerer-Cody matchup. The tournament is scheduled to conclude Saturday with the 8:30 p.m. championship game.For a complete tournament bracket, visit the Wyoming High School Activities Association Web site at www.whsaa.org.

When the Class 3A West Regional Tournament begins today (Thursday) in Worland, the Powell High School Panthers will have a clear goal in mind — finish in the top four.

If the Panthers can successfully complete that mission, they will earn a berth in the state tournament in Casper March 12-14. During the 2007-08 slate, the Panthers (11-9 overall, 7-7 West Conference) enjoyed one of their best seasons in recent years. But when the regional tournament concluded, so did their season.

The Panthers, who came up one win shy of the top four at last year's regional, were forced to watch as eight other teams from the East and West conferences battled it out for supremacy in Class 3A. That's a scenario the Panthers hope to avoid this time around.

“It was disappointing last year when we didn't make it to state,” said PHS head coach Troy Hildebrand. “Going into regionals, we felt like we were one of the top four teams in our conference, but we came up one win short of making it to state. As disappointing as that was, we've used that experience and turned it into a positive. Five of our guys played a lot of minutes in last year's regional, and they all want to get to state this time. They've worked hard, and I think we're as prepared as we can be. We just have to take care of the things we can control.”

The first team standing in the way of PHS and its goal will be Jackson, a squad that has been a thorn in the Panthers' side this season. Jackson, which is the fourth-seeded team in the regional tournament bracket, is 2-0 against the Panthers this year. Both games with fifth-seeded PHS were decided in overtime, and the Panthers are looking to gain a measure of revenge when the two teams face off at 10:30 today (Thursday).

“Our guys are excited about that matchup,” Hildebrand said. “We've had two close games with them, and in both of those they found a way to win. This time around, we'll hopefully find a way to make the plays we need to get over the hump against them.”

During the most recent matchup with Jackson on Feb. 6, the Broncs edged PHS 46-43 and snapped a six-game winning streak by the Panthers. As a testament to how even the teams are, that matchup was the fourth straight overtime contest between the two squads dating back to last season. In those four games, PHS is 1-3.

For the Panthers to reverse their fortunes against the Broncs, Hildebrand said his team will need to continue its strong defensive play and continue to make baskets, particularly free throws, when they count the most in close games. In many of PHS's wins, strong efforts at the free-throw line have propelled the Panthers past their opponents. Just last week during PHS's victory in their regular-season finale, the Panthers hit five of their last six free throws in a 36-32 decision over rival Cody.

Among the players Hildebrand will be counting on to help the Panthers navigate their way through the tournament this week will be Jordan Brown, Ryan Brandt, Matt McArthur and Galen Mills. Those four, after 20 games, are the team's leading scorers. Brown is averaging 11.4 points per game, and Brandt is close behind (11.1 ppg). McArthur and Galen Mills are averaging 10.3 and eight points, respectively.

Brown, in addition to his points totals, also leads the Panthers in a number of other areas, including free throws made and attempted (56 of 79), assists (4.1 apg), steals (2.9 spg), blocks (.8 blks pg). Brandt is the leader on the boards for PHS with 8.9 rebounds per game, and McArthur has contributed 6.1 boards per game.

Other teams competing in the regional tournament include Kemmerer, Worland, Lovell, Pinedale, Lyman and Cody. Kemmerer, the No. 1 seed and the second-ranked team in Class 3A, is among the favorites to claim the regional title. However, second-seeded Worland and third-seeded Lovell expect to make a charge for the top honor as well.

“Anything can happen,” Hildebrand said of each team's shot at claiming one of the qualifying spots for the tournament. “When it gets to be this time of year, there can definitely be some surprises.”

Should the Panthers win their opening-round game against Jackson, they will advance to play the winner of the Kemmerer-Cody contest on Friday at 5:30 p.m. A first-round loss by the Panthers will put them in the Friday game at 6 p.m. against the loser of the Kemmerer-Cody matchup. The tournament is scheduled to conclude Saturday with the 8:30 p.m. championship game.

For a complete tournament bracket, visit the Wyoming High School Activities Association Web site at www.whsaa.org.