One Nation, Under God
One Nation, Under God
Last Friday Saco-Whitewater lost a heartbreaking game to Ekalaka 50-49 and had another close 47-42 loss to the Winnett-Grass Range on Saturday. They also dropped a game to the Glasgow Scotties earlier in the week.
Their loss to Ekalaka was the one that got away, en leu of the fact the Panthers took a while to warm up.
The Panthers were led by freshman Trace Simonson, who had 16 points.
Jeret Warren had 12 points.
Layne Engel added 10.
The team had a ten point lead near the end of the fourth quarter.
They eventually were outscored 18-11 by the Bulldogs in the fourth losing the game. Saco-Whitewater was 0-4 from the free throw line in the fourth.
"They gained a two point lead with 24 seconds left," Coach Malone recalled.
With nine seconds remaining Jeret Warren knocked down a huge three pointer to put the Panthers up 49-48.
That's when the more experienced Bulldog team stormed down the court and drew a reach in foul.
Ekalaka's Kyle Schwede then proceeded to knock down the first free throw. Game tied 49-49.
With two time outs remaining, Coach Malone immediately called to set the team up.
Schwede then proceeded to sink his second free throw, giving his team a 50-49 advantage, with 2 seconds left.
Though Coach Malone wanted the inbounding player to call a time out right away.
"I told them if he makes it call a time out, if not we'll push up and save it for overtime," Coach Malone recalled.
After the free throw, the call for a time out didn't happen until a half of a second remained.
Coach Malone was ready to let his team have an earful until one of his players spoke up.
"One kid said, 'Coach with all due respect, we're not used to being in a situation like that,'" Coach Malone remembers.
Had the team listened to Coach Malone's direction they would have had a chance to run a play, but instead the team failed to score.
In their loss to Winnett-Grass Range, Saco-Whitewater was led by Chance Love who hit five three points, giving him a total of fifteen points.
"He shot the ball well," said Coach Malone.
Simonson had ten points. Justin Funk added six. Channing Mavencamp and Warren added four points each.
The team had a six point lead late in the third quarter.
"We just didn't hang onto it," Coach Malone said.
The team ended up settling for buckets at long range and like it does in many cases, the three pointer betrayed Saco-Whitewater.
"If you live by the three pointer, you die by the three pointer," Coach Malone said.
The team was also three for nine behind the charity stripe in the fourth.
The Panthers had a rough outing against Class B's Glasgow Scotties, losing a game 75-40 last Tuesday December 9.
Jeret Warren nailed four trey in the loss. He had a total of 13 points.
Teammate Layne Engel also totaled 13 points. He put down three buckets from long range in the second quarter.
Freshman Trace Simonson added ten points.
Their only blowout loss of the regular season came against Glasgow, which is a huge contrast to last year's team.
"They're not intimidated, but yet they are still young and learning the game," Coach Malone said. "There were a lot of mental errors that we need to take care of."
The team's next game is against the Dodson Coyotes, who were win-less last season.
With that rough season in mind, Dodson will do doubt bring their A game.
That game starts at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Then the team will really have their hands full against the Frazer Bearcubs, who were strong in the Class C showcase.
The team showed the ability to hit shots from all over the court as well as run a fast paced, yet effective offense.
That game will be in Saco at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
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