VAN METER — Tuesday’s WCAC trip to Van Meter did not as hoped for either Panorama cage squad, as the hosts handed their guests their first losses of the season.
Van Meter (3-2, 3-0) was a 42-38 winner over Panorama (5-1, 2-1) in the girls game, with the Panthers falling to 10th in Class 3A after the loss. The Bulldogs (4-0, 4-0) were 54-45 winners over the Panthers (5-1, 3-1) in the boys contest.
The Panther girls dominated the statistics in their game save for the final score. Panorama finished with a 38-18 rebounding edge and were slightly better in shooting, although both teams were frigid with the rock.
Panorama sank only 3-of-29 3-point attempts and just 8-of-34 otherwise to finish at a paltry 11-of-63 from the field while Van Meter landed just 2-of-12 treys. The Panthers were 13-of-18 at the foul line, with the Bulldogs only 8-of-24.
Van Meter led, 11-3, and 25-15, after the first two frames, and entered the fourth quarter leading, 28-23. Panorama tried to rally, but cold shooting lengthened the odds and denied victory.
Payton Beckman had 15 points and Shey Storesund and Ella Waddle six apiece for the Panthers. Laci Rishel had five points, Jaidyn Sellers four and Tyme Boettcher two.
Beckman had seven rebounds and three steals, Storesund six rebounds and four steals, Rishel eight boards, three thefts and four assists, with Angel Poldberg contributing three steals and two blocks.
Jorja Hanselman had 15 points and Chaney Coppinger 10 to pace the Bulldogs.
Van Meter finished with a 33-24 rebounding advantage in the night cap. Both teams struggled with accuracy, Panorama sinking just 4-of-20 beyond the 3-point arc and the hosts only 1-of-9.
The guests trailed, 28-12, at the break, and 44-27 after three periods. An 18-10 edge for the visitors brought the final deficit to within single digits.
Zach Rizzuit had 17 points and Drew Taylor 12 to lead Panorama. Brice Taylor added eight points, Evan Taylor seven and Lucas Leiferman one. Drew Taylor had eight rebounds and Evan and Brice Taylor four caroms each.
Van Meter was led by Carter Durflinger (14), Casey Trudo (12) and Clark Fials (10 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks).
Panorama hosts AC/GC Friday and Ogden Tuesday, with the girls junior varsity/varsity traveling to Harlan Monday.
