TRURO — The Panorama basketball teams raced past host Interstate-35 for a pair of conference victories Friday.
Panorama (17-1, 12-1), ranked seventh in Class 2A, simply overwhelmed I-35 (6-13, 2-10) for a 69-28 win in the girls bout, with the Panther boys (9-9, 7-7) blowing open their game with a dominating fourth quarter for a 70-51 win over the Roadrunners (1-15, 1-12).
The hosts grabbed an 18-14 lead after one period in the boys game and kept hopes of an upset alive with a 27-26 halftime lead. Panorama moved into a 41-40 lead with one quarter to play, then suddenly took charge, outscoring I-35, 29-11, to shock the home crowd and team and surge to the win.
Accuracy at the free throw line helped the Panthers pull away for the win, as the guests finished 22-of-29 at the stripe in the game, including a fateful stretch in the waning moments.
Gracen Welberg had 27 points for Panorama and Zach Rizzuti 21. Both shot very well, the former 11-of-20 from the floor and 5-of-7 at the line with the latter 5-of-10 on field goals and 11-of-12 at the charity stripe. Welberg also contributed seven rebounds, five steals and two blocks while Rizzuti made four thefts.
Malachi Peasley had six points and seven boards while Lucas Leiferman and Drew Taylor had five points apiece. Evan Taylor provided three points, Trey Cobb two and Kolby Shackelford one.
Statistical information from the Roadrunner boys was not provided.
The Panther girls had no trouble at all, leading 26-6, 47-14 and 63-16 after each of the first three quarter, respectively.
Panorama posted advantages of 32-15 in total rebounds and of 17-2 in total steals.
Bailey Beckman had 21 points, Lydia Knapp 11 and both Morgan Johnk and Payton Beckman 10 points apiece. Ella Waddle finished with nine points, Shey Storesund with four and Anna Holloway and Vallerie Storesund with two points apiece.
Bailey Beckman had five rebounds, three assists and six steals, with Payton Beckman having five caroms, three assists and four steals while Holloway had four assists and Johnk two blocks.
Jaliyah White and Carli McCudden lead I-35 with eight points apiece, with Sophia Egli, Ainsley Maske and Cali Garner tallying three points each, Maddie Williamson two points and Jaylen Bush one.
Panorama visits West Central Valley tonight, with the Panther girls playing at Ogden Wednesday (the Panther boys visit Ogden Saturday). Both teams will travel to Martensdale-St. Marys Thursday.
The Panorama girls will then await the winner of Saturday’s postseason opener between Woodward-Granger and host Madrid, with the Panthers hosting the victor Feb. 12.
