Lady Panthers topple Tigers

Published 1:21 pm Friday, February 20, 2015

JOHN DAY – The Prairie City Lady Panthers focused in for a 32-19 win over the Dayville/Monument Lady Tigers on Friday, pushing the Tigers out of the 1A High Desert District Tournament at Grant Union in John Day.

The Panthers fired up the first quarter with 6 points, while leaving the Tigers scoreless, however the Tigers battled back.

The Tigers outscored their opponents 9-7 in the second quarter with help from Treiquella Osborne who went 4-for-4 at the free-throw line and two buckets from Skylar Powell and Emma Hettinga; the Panthers still held the lead, 13-9.

Prairie City’s best offensive quarter was in the third – Panther Amy Black hit a 3-pointer and had 2, Cassie Hire sank two 2-pointers and Lindsay Wall added 2 – and they kept the lead at 24-15.

The Tigers attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter closing the gap to within 7 points and had some bright moments, including a steal and an interception, but couldn’t get a foothold.

Tiger head coach Jay Kenyon congratulated the Panthers on their win.

Panther head coach Penny Black said her team stuck to their game plan for the win.

“At the end of practice yesterday, they were focused and they understood the plan,” she said, adding her players focused on the Tigers scorers to interrupt their offense.

“Lindsay Wall and Sarah Ennis looked constantly to Treiquella Osborne and Cody Perkins to keep constant pressure on them – they zoned in on it,” she said. “Defense is what won the game for us.”

Amy Black and Amaya Zweygardt directed the bottom of the defense, she said, and “the bench came in and added energy.”

The Panthers continue in the tournament at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, playing the loser of the game between Jordan Valley and Adrian.

The game between Jordan Valley and Adrian was scheduled for Feb. 20 at 6 p.m.