It was a frustrating night for the Knoxville Girls Basketball Squad as the Panthers fall to Van Meter 54-18 heard live on 95.3 KNIA. The Panthers kept themselves within striking distance trailing by 12 points at the halftime break, but the Bulldogs outscored Knoxville 22-3 in the 3rd quarter and only allowed Knoxville seven points in the 2nd half to break the game open. It was Van Meter’s press that did in Knoxville as the Panthers turned the ball over numerous times. Coach Matt Ritchhart told KNIA/KRLS Sports his team’s inexperience showed many times.

Ritchhart: “The game should have been closer than what it was. We knew they would press us, and we’ll get that early in the year. We drew up how we wanted to break the press and when we execute it, it worked, but it’s also hard being inexperienced.”

Hannah Dunkin led the Panthers with ten points. Knoxville is now 0-2 and will be joined by the boys on Friday when both teams play their respective home and South Central Conference openers against Cardinal.