Lady Panthers win surprise showdown against Malta JV

In an interesting turn of events, the Saco-Whitewater Lady Panthers were matched up against the Malta M-ettes junior varsity team last Thursday in Whitewater.

It was also Senior Night for the Lady Panthers. It also proved to be a great test for both teams who are nearly perfect this season.

In a great defensive game, the Lady Panthers won the Phillips County showdown 57-34.

Five Lady Panther seniors were honored that night before the game including: Larimie Scheffelmear, Keira Simonson, Kourtney Simonson, Kayla Howard and Kaycee Howard.

Scheffelmear led the team with 17 points, 16 rebounds (8 off, 8 def).

Kourtney Simonson had 14 points and 6 rebounds.

Tatum Moore had 11 points.

Keira Simonson had six points and five rebounds.

Jada Sudbrack also had six points. Kelsey Cummings added three points.

Kayla Howard had five rebounds.

Seniors Larimie Scheffelmear and Kayla Howard were excited at the chance to play the M-ettes JV squad that night.

"We were all pretty excited because we've never really gotten the chance to play Malta other than in the summer," Kayla Howard told the PCN.

"We knew it would be a really good game for us and a challenge," added Scheffelmear, who played on Malta's varsity team earlier in her high school career.

She admitted that many of the players she played weren't on the Malta JV team because of age, but she has played against them before.

"It was a little weird because I had to play against my cousin, Adrianna Bibeau," Scheffelmear said.

Though many teams would love to face a team they could beat handily for their "Senior Night," when Saco-Whitewater got the call that morning that they would be facing Malta, the team was more than happy.

"We were ready," Kayla said. "We wanted a game like this and have always wanted to play Malta. We were excited, so it really brought our intensity out."

The Lady Panthers forced 29 turnovers while also turning the ball over 33 times, but Saco-Whitewater's offense was more efficient.

Malta's Jada Nicholson was all over the court, racking up numerous steals, blocks and rebounds for Malta. She had 14 points in the game.

Adrianna Bibeau had six points. Eva Harms and Shay Garfield had three points a piece. Raleigh Hunter had three points.

Malta gave the Lady Panthers a challenge with their speed length and height, however Malta's lack of offense, possibly due to nerves cost them the game.

With the tournaments around the corner, the team saw the win as a tremendous confidence booster.

"(Coach) Amber said we have to take it one game at a time," Scheffelmear said. "So we had nothing to lose going against a Class B team and not a lot to gain, but it helps us to improve."

Scheffelmear noted that playing a team with such length will also come in handy because they aren't used to facing teams with height and reach.

Facing Malta's pressure defense would be daunting for many team's however it was another thing the Lady Panthers embraced.

"It was kind of exciting because we've never had a team that pressed us," Scheffelmear said. "It helped us work on our press break and the pressure of having someone press us. That will help us in the post-season."

The Lady Panthers destroyed the Frazer Bearcubs last Saturday, 82-28.

The team had four players in double digit points, including Tatum Moore, who had a game leading 20 points.

Keira and Kourtney Simonson both had 18 points a piece. Scheffelmear had 10. Cummings had seven points. Casity Boucher had five points. Jada Sudbrack had four points.

The Lady Panthers outscored Frazer 31-5 in the first quarter and started the mercy rule clock late in the second quarter.

The halftime score was 57-14.

The team showed no mercy on offense or defense, which is something the team aims to do every game.

"No breaks on defense," Kayla Howard answered when asked how their team could improve a couple of nights prior.

Though the Lady Panthers defeated the Glasgow Lady Scotties 62-38 the last time the teams squared off in December, Glasgow will give the Panthers tough competition tomorrow in Glasgow.

Glasgow is a team that has great home-field advantage and the hostile environment should help prepare the Lady Panthers for crowds they may see in the post-season.

Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Glasgow tomorrow.

The team will have the rest of the weekend off and won't play another game until Next Friday, February 6, against the Nashua Porcupines.