PANORA — The Panorama boys cagers avenged an early season loss to West Central Valley Friday before suffering a 20-point loss to Nodaway Valley Saturday. Both games came on the Panther’s home floor, with the first contest a 47-39 win in West Central Conference play while the latter, a 68-48 setback, was not a WCC contest.
WCV (3-9, 2-8) had handed Panorama (5-7, 5-6 after Saturday) a 63-52 loss on Dec. 2 in Stuart but were hampered by a strong Panther defensive effort, despite the hosts playing without leading scorer Bryce Halterman.
Panorama trailed, 13-8, after one frame and face a 19-15 halftime deficit. The teams each put 14 points on the board in the third quarter, leaving WCV with a 33-29 edge entering the final eight minutes.
At that point the hosts finally began to assert control, slowly climbing into the lead thanks in part to the rebounding efforts of Gracen Welberg and Jeramy Randol, who grabbed nine boards apiece while Michael Allen — who did not score — contributed six important clearances.
An 18-6 spurt helped create the victory, a win fueled by just four scorers: Randol, with 14 points, Trey Cobb with 13 and Welgerg with 12 while Luke South added eight points.
Logan Pruitt led WCV with 12 points, three rebounds and three steals, with Cole Arnburg adding 11 points. Malachi Peasley had seven points and four assists, Cody Hansen seven points and Knick Badker two for the Wildcats.
Panorama was 9-of-14 at the foul line and WCV 4-of-10.
Nodaway Valley (8-3 overall) opened a 16-7 lead after one period and held a 35-22 advantage at the half in claiming Saturday’s tilt. The Wolverines maintained their 13-pooint edge, at 49-36, entering the final frame, where a 19-12 spurt generated the final score.
The Panthers, again playing without Halterman, struggled offensively. Welberg’s 13 points marked the only home team player to reach double digits.
Will Babcock had seven points for Panorama, with South and Randol adding six apiece, Blaine Barber five, Cobb four, Allen three, Dylan Perez three and Alias Stahl one point. Welber had four rebounds and three steals, with Cobb snaring five caroms and making four assists while Randol pulled down a team-high seven boards.
Nodaway Valley sank 18-of-30 foul shots compared to a miserly 5-of-16 clip for the hosts. The Wolverines misfired on all 14 of their attempted 3-pointers but hardly needed them, as Spencer Lamb went off for 26 points while snaring 11 rebounds and making three of Nodaway Valley’s 14 steals.
Brady Hilpipre added 12 points while blocking three shots, with Beau Weinheimer scoring 10 points, making five assists and snatching four steals to help ensure the win.
Panorama will visit Earlham tonight before visiting AC/GC Friday.
