Panthers’ boys pounce on Bruins, fall to Rebels

Sheridan boys’ varsity rode a rollercoaster on Jan. 8 and 9.

The Panther boys overcame Gardiner on Jan. 8, but not by much. Head Coach Ben Holland said the boys were off to a slow start, but battled back, ending the game with 26 points in the fourth quarter alone. The final score was a close one – Panthers 50, Bruins 48.

Kaiden Batzler, the “big man” on the team, reigned in 12 rebounds and tallied a total of 35 points for the team.

Coach Holland was happy for a win, but “we’d like to get there before our back is against the wall,” he said.

The following evening the boys were on the road against Shields Valley. This one, said Coach Holland, did not go so well. The Panthers fell to the Rebels 21-59.

“We were pretty sleepy, and may have been focused on the game the night before, which was an emotional game,” said Holland. “We then had to turn around and play one away, which is tough, but there are no excuses, everyone is doing it.”

The Panthers were down a couple players, which added to the challenges, but the players will return this week for a home game against Lima on Jan. 15 and an away game in Ennis on Jan. 16.

The Lady Panthers are facing a tough season, losing to both the Bruins 33-63 on Jan. 8, and the Rebels 13-55 on Jan. 9.

Despite those losses, Panther girls’ Head Coach Emily Pierson remained positive during a recent after school practice. “Every time we get to practice or play, given the state of the world, we’re happy,” she said. “Our biggest strength is that the girls are just excited to play, which is an attitude you can’t always coach.”

Injuries afflicting her upperclassman players were one challenge Pierson attributed to the losses. The silver lining to that scenario, though, is that the younger players are getting plenty of game time experience.

If all goes well those more experienced girls will be back on the court for the home game against Lima on Jan. 15 and the following matchup in Ennis on Jan. 16.

“Our plan is to keep playing, keep competing, and keep getting better each week,” said Pierson.