PANORA — The mid-season report on Class 2A No. 6 Panorama reveals very few weaknesses for the Panther girls.
Panorama — without a senior on the roster — is off at a 9-0 start, a record including a 7-0 West Central Conference mark to date. Missing from the record is a postponed battle against No. 10 Van Meter; the teams will meet twice before the regular season ends, with both scrums sure to be emotional tussles played with much energy, as both teams see the other as possible postseason obstacle.
The Panthers have survived a three-point scare at Des Moines Christian and staved off IKM-Manning in overtime but have otherwise hardly been tested, winning by an average of 21.6 points per game.
The team is shooting just 36.4 percent from the floor, mainly because, as a unit, they have yet to dial-in the range beyond the 3-point arc, hitting just 30-of-131 (22.9 percent) from long range. Foul shooting is not an issue, with 70.6 percent falling.
While guilty of 112 turnovers, the harassing defense has made 100 assists and 107 steals while forcing a huge number of mistakes from the opposition. Panorama has blocked 29 shots and averages a whopping 36 rebounds per contest.
Junior Devyn Kemble has been outstanding, averaging 16.2 points per game while grabbing 62 rebounds, making 30 steals and swatting away six shots. He has drained 15-of-45 of her 3-point attempts and is deadly at the foul line, burying 45-of51 (88.2 percent).
Bailey Beckman (13.2 ppg) has hit 36-of-50 foul shots (72 percent) while making 19 steals while Morgan Johnk (9.4 ppg, 48 rebounds, seven blocks) has connected on 34-of-69 field goals (49.3 percent).
Faith Powell (6.4 ppg) has cleared 43 boards and hit all 18 of her attempted free throws while Hope Wilderman (3.7 ppg) has distributed 21 assists and made six blocks.
The Panthers will play four consecutive home games when action resumes in January. Panorama will host Ogden (Jan. 3), Des Moines Christian (Jan. 10), West Central Valley (Jan. 13) and Nodaway Valley (Jan. 14). All save the latter are WCC contests.
