The Panthers wrapped up non-conference play on a high note.

The Powell High School girls’ basketball team earned its second win of the 2020-21 season on Friday, defeating Shoshoni 45-35 in a home contest. Following the win, PHS enters the conference schedule with a 2-4 record.

Just six days after a disappointing defeat against Rocky Mountain, the Panthers showed growth in various areas.

“I thought we penetrated some gaps really well,” said PHS head coach Chelsea Buher. “The ball movement was a lot better. We were finding the right passes and not rushing shots as much.”

Shoshoni, a 2A program, is a strong team for the classification and runs an unconventional 1-3-1 zone defense. Between Shoshoni’s talented squad and a previously unseen defensive strategy, Buher thought her team performed exceptionally.

“They [Shoshoni] have some nice athletes on that team, and we handled the 1-3-1 well,” Buher said. “We constantly attacked the gaps and found the open person.”

PHS senior Rose Graft was once again Powell’s scoring leader, with 14 points.

“I just continue to tell her to focus on what she’s really good at: capitalizing and attacking gaps,” Buher said.

The coach also was impressed with freshman Addy Thorington’s “good rebounding game,” in which she logged 12 boards. And senior Hailee Hyde played an all-around solid game, “continuing with her consistency,” the coach said.

PHS opens the conference slate with games against Worland and Lander Valley — two of the area’s best girls’ basketball programs — on Friday and Saturday. As the competition level increases, Buher wants to see similar energy from her girls to what she saw on Friday.

“My expectation is to compete, no matter who we play,” Buher said. “Worland and Lander will be very physical, so we have to try to shut down their top players. We’ll do the best we can and see if we can make it competitive.”

The Panther girls tipoff in Worland at 5:30 p.m. Friday, while hosting Lander at 3 p.m. Saturday.