Two road games kicked off 3A West action for the Powell High School girls’ basketball team, as the Panthers fell to Cody 70-36 on Thursday before rebounding with a 54-37 win over Worland on Friday.

CODY 70, POWELL 36

Beginning with a rivalry game the Panthers (9-4 overall, 1-1 3A West) came up against their undefeated rivals in the Fillies (12-0 overall, 2-0 3A West).

Cody got off to the strong start, using a press to force Powell turnovers and taking advantage of missed shots by Powell to lead 9-0 and force a Panther timeout midway through the first quarter.

Leah Graham got Powell’s first bucket after trailing 13-0 with 2:30 left in the quarter.

Cody’s lead grew, as the Fillies led 23-4 heading into the second.

It extended over 20 at 35-11 with 3:30 left as the Panther offense started to find its footing.

Powell got the Fillies out of their press, but halfcourt turnovers against Cody’s 2-3 zone put the hosts ahead 42-19 at the break.

“I thought we handled their press well. We just turned the ball over in the half court,” coach Chelsea Kistler said.

The Panthers offense continued to be better in the third quarter, but Cody still continued to extend its lead as the Fillies led 59-32.

Powell struggled to score in the fourth, as the Panthers fell to the Fillies 70-36.

“I thought the girls played hard. I just think our execution on both sides of the ball could have been better. That’s something we will grow on and hopefully see that growth the next time we play them,” Kistler said.

Emery Hernandez was the lone Panther in double figures with 10 points, Graham led with seven rebounds, Coy Erickson had four assists and three steals. Erickson and Kindyle Floy had one block each.

POWELL 54, WORLAND 37

Heading to Worland on Friday the Panthers needed a win to avoid an 0-2 start to conference play against the Warriors (6-7 overall, 0-2 3A West).

After a slow start, the Panthers trailed midway through the first 6-5, as the Warrior zone frustrated Powell and the two teams were deadlocked at 11 heading into the second.

“It was a tough turnaround after a tough game with Cody the night before, both games on the road, so I think we had a little spill over there,” Kistler said. “That’s the first time we’ve really seen a 1-3-1 (zone) for the entire game.”

That remained a theme in the second quarter, as the two were tied at 18 midway through, before Powell started creating a little separation up 25-21 at the break. Unfortunately, one of their first options off the bench in sophomore Veronica Kovach was injured in the second quarter and did not return.

“Losing Veronica in the first half, the girls had to kind of refocus and get themselves back on track for the second half, props for doing that,” Kistler said. 

Powell burst out of the gates in the second half, led by Hernandez, who hit four straight 3-pointers as Powell jumped out to a 36-21 advantage.

“Emery hit four threes in the third, but I thought that we got steals, got some of our defense going, and got some rebounds and quick outlets and kicked (the ball) ahead and things like that to fall,” Kistler said.

That double-digit lead held up at 46-32 heading into the fourth quarter. Powell held onto its lead 49-37 midway through, regrouping again after Erickson fouled out with six minutes left.

“We left her in there, because it is something that in the future we do have to learn to play with fouls with our small numbers,” Kistler said. “I’m proud of kids stepping up and having to fill Coy’s shoes with her fouling out.”

The Panthers found a way to pull away further late as the Warriors never cut it to single digits in a 54-37 win.

Hernandez led with 21 points, Hali Hancock and Erickson had seven rebounds each, Floy led with six assists, Hernandez had four steals and Hancock had three blocks.

“Across the board everybody contributed offensively, and contributed on the boards,” Kistler said.

SPLIT WEEK

The Panthers now have two very different games on the schedule this week, heading to Lovell on Thursday for another conference matchup at 5:30 p.m. against the Bulldogs (10-3 overall, 1-1 3A West).

Powell then returns home on Friday at 5:30 p.m. to host its final nonconference game of the season against 3A East leaders Buffalo (6-5 overall, 4-0 3A East).

“Our focus will be Lovell, being a conference game. Buffalo, while yes you want to get the win, it’s not one that matters in the grand scheme of things,” Kistler said. “We’ve got to be able to handle their pressure, they do a diamond press and they do some full court man. So we’re going to have to handle the switch up of defenses … Lovell’s a tough place to play so you’ve got to come out the gates ready to play.”