The Knoxville Girls Basketball Squad opened its season with a 39-32 win over PCM on Tuesday night. The Panthers threatened to make it a blowout in the first half going on a 14-0 run to start the second quarter building a 24-6 lead before settling for a 26-10 advantage at the break. However, PCM turned up the defensive pressure in the second half and began the third quarter on an 11-0 run before Knoxville regained control on a six nothing run keyed by two Emma Dunkin layups to get Knoxville’s advantage back to double figures. Panthers Coach Jim Uitermarkt told KRLS Sports he was generally pleased with his team’s play.

Uitermarkt:
“I’d really take 3/4 of that game most nights, super defense for the most part in the first half and we had 26 points at halftime, we’ll take that. It was just that start of the 3rd quarter where we had the issue.”

PCM Coach Jeff Lindsay told KRLS Sports after a heart-to-heart talk at the break, he liked to see the adjustments made in the final two quarters.

Lindsay:
“I saw a team in the 2nd half, was a team that I thought I was going to see coming into the season. They were moving more confidently, and playing better defense. I was very proud of their response in the 2nd half.”

Maggie Wilkins led Knoxville and all scorers with 15 points while Paige Steenhoek paced the Mustangs with ten points. Knoxville is 1-0 on the season and will host Van Meter next Tuesday while PCM is 0-2 and will travel to Montezuma next Thursday.