The Powell High School girls basketball team isn't too concerned about who they end up playing this weekend at the Class 3A West regional tournament in Lyman.“The girls have a right to feel confident,” said PHS head coach Luke Danforth. “They should feel good about stepping on the floor against anybody.”The evidence backs the coach up — this weekend, the Lady Panthers will face no one they haven't beaten at least once this season.However, cautions Danforth, “There isn't anybody in our conference to take lightly.”The No. 1 seeded Lady Panthers (18-3 overall, 12-2 in conference play) are slated to take on Pinedale's Lady Wranglers (4-17, 1-13) at 9 a.m. today (Thursday). A PHS win would pit them against the victor of a Cody-Lander matchup in a 4 p.m. Friday matchup. With a loss, Powell would play the loser of the Cody-Lander game at 9 a.m. on Friday.Full brackets are available at www.whsaa.org.Teams must win one of their first two games to earn a trip to the state tournament in Casper next week — three wins claim the regional title and the western conference's No. 1 seed. The Lady Panthers are looking to defend their title from last year.Only the top four teams advance to state from regionals, and Danforth expects tough competition.“Six teams have a legitimate shot to be playing for a trophy in Casper the next Saturday,” he said, referencing Powell, Mountain View, Jackson, Cody, Lander and Worland. Citing their improved play of late, Danforth calls Lyman a dark-horse contender.Powell's two conference losses came to Mountain View on Jan. 8 and Lander on Jan. 16. (They avenged those defeats on Feb. 13 and 19, respectively.)The Lady Panthers enter the tournament with a seven-game win streak. They have had the stingiest defense in Class 3A, allowing just more than 35 points a game.On the other end of the court, Powell's offense has thrived on smart shots. Though the team has struggled from 3-point range, they've been the most accurate in the class on 2-point attempts, with a 46 percent shooting rate.PHS' success has also been fueled by dominance on the boards. On average, the Lady Panthers have out-rebounded their opponents by more than 10 rebounds a game — a margin that's also best in Class 3A.Danforth credits the team-oriented play of the squad, praising the contributions of the nine girls on the varsity roster.Seniors Hannah Pollart (averaging 16 points and 10.1 rebounds a game), Savannah Donarski (10.8 points and 8.9 rebounds), Katie Kipp (3.7 points, 2.4 assists), and Kami Cooley (3.5 points, 2.3 rebounds) provide the team's leadership, said Danforth. He said they've been complimented by the play of juniors Leslie Thronburg (7.5 points, 5.8 rebounds), Olivia Rogers (5.4 points, 4.4 rebounds) and Shellie Williams, with additional contributions from sophomores Kendra Ostrom and Emily Kath.“The girls work hard, just persist, and even when things don't go their way, they don't give up,” said Danforth.

The Powell High School girls basketball team isn't too concerned about who they end up playing this weekend at the Class 3A West regional tournament in Lyman.

“The girls have a right to feel confident,” said PHS head coach Luke Danforth. “They should feel good about stepping on the floor against anybody.”

The evidence backs the coach up — this weekend, the Lady Panthers will face no one they haven't beaten at least once this season.

However, cautions Danforth, “There isn't anybody in our conference to take lightly.”

The No. 1 seeded Lady Panthers (18-3 overall, 12-2 in conference play) are slated to take on Pinedale's Lady Wranglers (4-17, 1-13) at 9 a.m. today (Thursday). A PHS win would pit them against the victor of a Cody-Lander matchup in a 4 p.m. Friday matchup. With a loss, Powell would play the loser of the Cody-Lander game at 9 a.m. on Friday.

Full brackets are available at www.whsaa.org.

Teams must win one of their first two games to earn a trip to the state tournament in Casper next week — three wins claim the regional title and the western conference's No. 1 seed. The Lady Panthers are looking to defend their title from last year.

Only the top four teams advance to state from regionals, and Danforth expects tough competition.

“Six teams have a legitimate shot to be playing for a trophy in Casper the next Saturday,” he said, referencing Powell, Mountain View, Jackson, Cody, Lander and Worland. Citing their improved play of late, Danforth calls Lyman a dark-horse contender.

Powell's two conference losses came to Mountain View on Jan. 8 and Lander on Jan. 16. (They avenged those defeats on Feb. 13 and 19, respectively.)

The Lady Panthers enter the tournament with a seven-game win streak. They have had the stingiest defense in Class 3A, allowing just more than 35 points a game.

On the other end of the court, Powell's offense has thrived on smart shots. Though the team has struggled from 3-point range, they've been the most accurate in the class on 2-point attempts, with a 46 percent shooting rate.

PHS' success has also been fueled by dominance on the boards. On average, the Lady Panthers have out-rebounded their opponents by more than 10 rebounds a game — a margin that's also best in Class 3A.

Danforth credits the team-oriented play of the squad, praising the contributions of the nine girls on the varsity roster.

Seniors Hannah Pollart (averaging 16 points and 10.1 rebounds a game), Savannah Donarski (10.8 points and 8.9 rebounds), Katie Kipp (3.7 points, 2.4 assists), and Kami Cooley (3.5 points, 2.3 rebounds) provide the team's leadership, said Danforth. He said they've been complimented by the play of juniors Leslie Thronburg (7.5 points, 5.8 rebounds), Olivia Rogers (5.4 points, 4.4 rebounds) and Shellie Williams, with additional contributions from sophomores Kendra Ostrom and Emily Kath.

“The girls work hard, just persist, and even when things don't go their way, they don't give up,” said Danforth.