At just past the midseason for both Knoxville boys and girls basketball Squads, the Panthers are looking at the 2nd half of the season with optimism. The girls stand at 7-5 on the season and 4-3 in the South Central Conference and defense has been what the Panthers have become known for allowing 43 points per game with a season low this past Thursday in a 48-19 win over Clarke and has allowed over 35 just once since coming back from break. Coach Matt Ritchhart tells KNIA/KRLS Sports they will still keep working on defense the emphasis right now is to get healthy and try to get the offense going.
Ritchhart: “You’re 12-13 games into the year, no one is 100%. We’re going to get some shots up, do some scouting for Chariton and Davis County, and it’s a grind to have those two back-to-back nights and Friday and Saturday, but we’re going to get a lot of shots up between now and Friday.”
The boys have struggled for wins this season going 2-8 going into their game with Grandview Christian on Tuesday. While young, Coach Troy Pearson is happy with his team’s individual skills but to have a chance to compete in each game from now through the end of the season…they need to center in on the physical part of the game.
Pearson: “I think right now our individual skills are showing great improvement. I just think the physical part of the game needs to catch up to our skills.”
The boys will take on class 1A #5 Grandview Christian on Tuesday while the girls are off until Friday when they head to Davis County. Both nights can be heard live on 95.3 KNIA.
Key stats for girls:
Brittany Bacorn is 4th in the South Central Conference at 99 rebounds (3rd with 47 offensive rebounds)
Emma Dunkin is 4th in the South Central Conference with 46 steals
Hannah Dunkin is 4th in the South Central Conference shooting 34% from 3 point range
Larissa Wells is 3rd in the South Central Conference with 62 FT attempts (7th ini made FT with 28)
Key games upcoming:
Davis County Friday January 21st:
The Panthers got the best of the Mustangs on December 14th and head to a gym that has been a house of horrors thorough the years. The Panthers put 4 players in double figures on December 14th led by Anna Buttell with 13 points.
Chariton Saturday January 22nd:
The Panthers will try to get revenge on a team that gave the one of their five loses this season in Chariton on December 10th. This is the 2nd of a back-to-back weekend and the annual Panthers vs. Cancer night so emotions will be riding high along with the new “Queens of Highway 14” traveling trophy up for grabs.
Key stats for boys:
Gabe Clark is 1st in the South Central Conference with 27 3 point shots made, 2nd with 72 3 point shots attempted, and 1st in 3 point percentage at 37.5%
Landen Norris is 4th in the South Central Conference in 3 point percentage at 34.4%
As a team the Panthers lead the conference with 74 3 point shots made and attempted with 290 and lead the conference in percentage made with 25.5%. In addition the Panthers are 3rd in Class 3A with 290 3 point attempts.
Key games upcoming:
Eddyvlle-Blakesburg-Fremont Tuesday January 25th:
The Rockets rolled up 93 points on the Panthers who shot well in the first half, but could not buy a basket in the 2nd half.
Centerville Friday January 28th:
Centerville will be looking for revenge as the Panthers shot lights out in a 86-69 win over the Big Red on January 4th.