PANORA — Clutch play in the final minute helped Class 2A No. 13 Panorama upset 3A No. 6 Des Moines Christian, 51-48, in a WCAC showdown Thursday. Host Panorama followed up the big win by whipping visiting Interstate-35, 60-42, Friday.
The wins lift Panorama to 17-2 overall and into a tie for first place in the conference at 13-1. DMC, who topped W-G, 40-33 Friday, is 18-2 and 12-1, while I-35 fell to 5-13, 3-10.
Panorama had an early edge in Thursday’s big win, leading 11-4 after one frame and by a 30-20 margin at the half. DMC outscored the hosts, 18-13, in the third quarter to close to within 43-38 entering the fourth quarter.
The Lions slowly clawed their way to their first lead when Moriah Prewitt sank two free throws for a 45-44 advantage. Angel Poldberg scored for Panorama, with teammate Payton Beckman collecting a ball tipped free by Laci Rishel and speeding to a layup and a 48-45 Panther lead.
Prewitt buried a deep 3-pointer with 35.1 seconds to play to tie the score, but a pair of Beckman free throws with 21 ticks to play gave the hosts a 50-48 lead. Beckman then blocked a 3-point attempt and was fouled with 2.9 seconds remaining.
She sank 1-of-2 at the line for a 51-48 lead, with a desperation trey from DMC at the horn well off the mark.
Anna Holloway — the lone senior on the Panorama roster — sparked her team with three 3-pointers en route to a team-high 16 points. Beckman added 13 points, Poldberg seven and Rishel six, with Ella Waddle adding six points on two treys and Gabby Welberg three points.
Poldberg had seven rebounds, Waddle four assists and Beckman four assists and four steals. Beckman and Poldberg each sank one triple.
Prewitt led all scorers with 24 points. Megan Miller had 10 points and Kate Muller six, with Joslyn Helgens adding four points, Ellie Schlopkohl three and Kaitlyn Mumm one.
Beckman had the hot hand Friday with a game-high 27 points. Poldberg added 11 points and Waddle eight, Welberg seven, Holloway five and Rishel two. Beckman made five 3-pointers, Waddle two and Holloway one.
The hosts led, 27-13, after eight minutes and were in command, 36-19, at the intermission.
Jaliyah White led the Roadrunners with 13 points. Carli McCuddin provided 11 points, Ainsley Maske and Josie McCuddin six points apiece, with Kaitlyn Morris tallying four points and a final player (name n/a) two points.
The Panthers honored their 1995 state tourney team Friday. Nine members of the team were on hand for a brief ceremony celebrating the 25th anniversary of their achievement.
Panorama will host Martensdale-St. Marys Monday before wrapping their regular season with a visit from West Central Valley Tuesday.
