PRAIRIE CITY – The Prairie City boys basketball team is a triple threat.

The Panthers had three players step up in a big way this weekend. George Wickhorst, Dylan Hendriksen, and Brandon Crisler combined for 98 points during two games last weekend.

The trio put on their strongest performance during a 77-55 win against Ukiah/Long Creek on Friday, Feb. 1. Crisler led Prairie City with 23 points and 14 rebounds earning a double-double. Hendriksen had 21 points and eight rebounds, and Wickhorst added 19 points.

They continued their dominant play against Crane on Saturday, Feb. 2. Hendriksen took the lead with 16 points and nine rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double for the second time during the weekend. Wickhorst contributed 10, and Crisler earned nine. Despite the trio’s strong play, the Panthers fell 70-43.

“They had pretty big games this weekend,” Prairie City Coach Ryan Gerry said. “Especially considering they didn’t really play in the fourth quarter on Friday.”

The Panthers took control early, and went ahead 26-14 in the first quarter on Friday. They kept the pressure on and repeated the performance with 25 points in the third quarter.

The game was similar to Prairie City’s first meeting with Ukiah/Long Creek on Dec. 18, when the Panthers beat the Mountain Lions 79-43.

Prairie City faced the first-place team in the High Desert League, Crane, on Saturday. The Panthers were unable to win, but played strong defense in the game. Michael Bass and Colton Schulze were tasked with guarding Crane’s point guards who often score more than 20 points in a game. Bass and Schulze were able to hold them to 15 points.

Lady Panthers look to Friday for important winThe Prairie City girls basketball team was unable to keep its win streak alive last weekend.

The Panthers defeated Ukiah/Long Creek 50-32 for their second win in a row. It was the first time the team had won two in a row in six weeks. The previous streak started with the same teams, Ukiah/Long Creek and Mitchell on Dec. 15 and 18. However, Prairie City dropped its Saturday meeting with Crane 62-17 to end the streak.

Katie Cary led the team with 23 points and 12 rebounds to earn a double-double on Friday. Caitlin Patten had nine points and Skylar Fast had eight. Cary and Fast each had four points to lead the team in scoring on Saturday.

“Cary’s confidence is building as we go,” Prairie City coach Penny Black said. “She keeps improving.”

The Panthers face off against Burnt River at home about 6 p.m. on Friday. Prairie City needs a win in the game to ensure the team a spot in the High Desert League tournament next week.