PANORA — As if the suspense of Monday’s showdown were not enough, Class 2A No. 8 Panorama and No. 9 Van Meter decided they may just as well take Friday’s West Central Conference contest into overtime.
And, just like Monday, it was Panorama who prevailed, as the Panthers once again blistered the nets at the foul line, sinking 12-of-15 after the intermission, including all six tries in overtime to score the win.
Panorama (17-1, 13-1) finished 17-of-23 at the stripe while Van Meter (14-3, 11-2) hit just 7-of-17 and only 4-of-8 in extra time. Combined with Monday’s numbers, the Panthers were 37-of-45 (82 percent) in the two wins while the Bulldogs were just 10-of-22 (45 percent).
Sophomore point guard Bailey Beckman terrorized Van Meter Monday with 20 points and a 12-of-14 night at the line. She was instrumental again Friday, pouring in 23 points and hitting all eight of her shots at the stripe, including two with 3.7 seconds left in regulation to force the overtime. She has hit 48-of-55 free throws (87 percent) in January.
“I am confident I am going to make them, but you have to be,” Beckman said of her accuracy. “I think the whole team has confidence and winning Monday helped.”
Van Meter led, 13-10, after one period and held a 21-14 lead before Morgan Johnk stopped the run with an offensive rebound and put-back, with a Beckman 3-pointer bringing the hosts to within 21-19 at the half.
Devyn Kemble’s 3-pointer was the only points Panorama scored in the third period, as the Panthers missed seven shots within a dribble of the rim, thanks to stout interior defense from the Bulldogs.
However, Van Meter was missing inside as well during the stretch and was able to score just seven points while the hosts were quite, although those were enough to open a 28-22 lead.
Panorama eventually caught their guests in the fourth quarter and took a brief 36-34 lead, only to have Van Meter’s C.J. Jones splash a 3-pointer to put the visitors back in front.
The hosts trailed, 40-38, when Beckman hit the first of two foul shots. After a timeout she lofted her second try, which bounced all over the rim before falling in to tie the game and force overtime.
“We can’t get this kind of experience without actually being in these kinds of games, because there is no way I can simulate the emotion or excitement in a practice,” Panther head coach Dan Druivenga said. “The girls did a great job of staying poised and did what we have worked on in practice when it the situation is close like this. You hope they react well and they did — they did a great job of doing the right thing at the right time and stayed focused.”
That calm demeanor was quickly tested in overtime, as the guests sank 3-of-4 foul shots for a 43-40 lead. Kemble answered with a basket inside, and when the Bulldogs missed two free throws the hosts were able to grab a 44-43 lead when Beckman made a steal at the top of the key and raced down the court for a lay up.
Mackenzie Roberts hit the second of two free throws to tie the game, but Jones — who had hit key shots at big moments — was whistled for her fifth foul at the 1:20 mark.
Johnk, Kemble and Beckman each went 2-for-2 at the stripe in the final 56 seconds to secure the victory as Van Meter misfired on their last five shots from the floor.
The win gives the Panthers control of their own destiny in the WCC. A win at Woodward-Granger Tuesday would secure at least a tie for the title, while a follow-up win at Ogden Friday would seal the title outright.
Beckman’s 23 was a game-high, with Kemble adding nine points, Johnk eight, Powell seven and Nicole Rolfes three.
Jones led Van Meter with 13 points, with Mackenzie Roberts and Emily Roberts each scoring nine points. Ellie Folkerts had seven points, with three points apiece from Kelsey Roberts and Chelsea Bright closing the scoring tab.
