Lady Panthers kick off Dairyland Conference play

by Rachel Hovey, student writer

Beginning its Dairyland Conference schedule at home on Tuesday, Dec. 1, the Gilmanton girls basketball team hosted the Eleva-Strum Cardinals. The Cardinals came out quick with full court pressure. The Panthers became anxious and threw the ball away countless times.

On a positive note, the Panthers were able to get more shots off this game. The halftime score was 24-12 which lead to a 58-29 loss.

Senior CallieRae Long led her squad in scoring with 10 points, followed by Rachel Hovey with eight, and Sadie Wulff added six. Julia Branger led with seven rebounds. Jordyn Bloom and Branger each had three assists. Defensively, Hovey had three steals. Morgan Fillmore and Long each had a block apiece.

The Lady Panthers then traveled to Eau Claire Immanuel on Friday, Dec. 4, eager for their first win. The Lancers came out hot, making many of their first shots, creating an early lead. The Lady Panthers found themselves down by 10 at halftime, 34-24.  They struggled to cut into the halftime deficit, but the final score went in favor of the Lancers, 67-35.

The leaders in scoring were Branger with 11 points, Bloom with 10, and Hovey with nine. Branger led in rebounds with nine followed by Kaitlyn Johnson with six. Bloom had three assists and five steals. Long and Bloom each contributed two blocks apiece.

This week the Panthers will host Alma/Pepin on Thursday, Dec. 10.