PANORA — Most observers realized that starting more or less from scratch with a new lineup would exact a toll on the Panorama boys cagers. An 0-4 start to the season may have been a sharper drop than the Panthers hoped to endure, but wins in two of their final three games before the holiday break lifted the team to 2-5 overall and 2-4 in West Central Conference play.
While shooting clips of 39.1 percent from the floor (including 25-of-96 on attempted 3-pointers) and of 58.1 percent at the foul line are not near where coach Brad Halterman would like them, they would be more survivable if the Panthers were not guilty of 134 turnovers.
Missed shots and empty possessions have limited the effectiveness of the attack, which has proven much more effective in the second half of games. Panorama has scored 130 points in the first half of their seven games, but has produced 186 points after intermission. The team has made 79 assists and 51 steals while blocking 12 shots and averaging 27.7 rebounds per outing.
Senior guard Bryce Halterman has been the focal point, averaging 16.1 points per game while grabbing 53 rebounds, making 27 assists and coming away with 20 steals. He has hit 15-of-37 (40.5 percent) beyond the 3-point arc and is 28-of-40 (70 percent) at the charity stripe.
Gracen Welberg (8.6 ppg, 42 rebounds, five blocks) and Luke South (6.6 ppg) have also been main contributors, as have Jeramy Randol (5.9 ppg, 42 rebounds) and Trey Cobb (5.3 ppg, 18 assists).
Panorama hosts Ogden Jan. 3 before a boys-only visit Jan, 6 to Woodward Academy. Both Panther squads will host Des Moines Christian Jan. 10, West Central Valley Jan. 13 and Nodaway Valley Jan. 14.
