Bobcats and Panthers face off a second time

SUPERIOR/ALBERTON – On Tuesday, the Superior Bobcats and Alberton Panthers reunited on the court for a rematch a month after they last played each other in December.

The game was close as both teams played strong. However, Superior took victory with a final score of 69 to 30.

The first quarter saw Superior take an early lead as their defense prevented Alberton from scoring many points. Throughout the quarter, the Panthers were able to score enough points to keep the Bobcats on their toes.

In the last minutes of the quarter, the Alberton boys were able to make several baskets to bring the scores closer together. The first quarter ended with the Bobcats ahead by five points.

The second quarter saw similar play as the Superior defense kept the Panthers from advancing. However, Alberton’s offense was able to keep close enough to maintain a 10-point gap. Whenever Superior started to pull ahead, Alberton would get the ball and bring in enough points to keep the Bobcats from gaining more of a lead.

Superior took the last points of the quarter. The Bobcats closed the first half with a 14-point advantage over the Panthers.

Superior Head Coach Chris Toivenen felt Superior’s defense was a little sloppy in the first half. He also admitted Alberton made some good offensive plays and praised the team for their shooting.

“They made some very difficult shots,” said Toivenen. “You’ve got to give them credit for scoring the points.”

Alberton Head Coach Dan Moe felt his team did a good job in the first half. He said it was their best game of the season as they attacked early with a strong offense before the Superior defense was set.

“We were within 10 [points] at the two minute mark before Superior made a little run to close the half,” said Moe.

The Bobcats rallied in the third quarter and their defense kept the opposition down. While Alberton was good at handling the ball and passed it well, they were unable to bring in more than one point.

“We defended better in the second half than we did in the first,” said Toivenen.

Alberton had a hard time adjusting to Superior’s increased defensive pressure. In the fourth quarter, Alberton’s offense came back and allowed the Panthers to bring in more last minute points. Moe felt his team had improved and saw some big changes compared to the Panther’s last game against Superior.

“We were much more competitive with [the Bobcats] this time around than prior to Christmas,” said Moe.

In the third quarter, Superior junior Wyatt Zylawy knocked a pass to an Alberton player off course and advanced it to the Bobcat’s net.

Players on both sides shined throughout the game. Superior senior Clint Voll led the Bobcats with 20 points. Fellow senior Tucker Smith came in a close second and brought in 19 points for Superior. Senior Tanner Smith and Zylawy also brought in ten points each.

Toivenen gave special mention to Tucker and Tanner for their passing. He said Zylawy continued to do well and kept up the performance he has shown all season. Toivenen also gave special mention to junior Josh Benda for taking over the starter spot for senior Jarrod Tippens, who was out sick.

For Alberton, senior Keir Sanzano brought in nine points as senior Andrew Lommen and eighth grader Creighton Callison each brought in eight.

When the Alberton boys played against Granite on their home court on Friday, January 24, they saw a second loss of 28 to 63.

The game started well for the Panthers as they fought back against Granite’s offense. The team was able to pull close and almost tied the score in the second quarter, but a change in tactics jumped the Prospectors ahead.

The second half saw the guys improve their fight against Granite’s defense. They were able to bring in more points than the first half, but still struggled to get past the enemy lines.

“Despite foul trouble and some fatigue, we did a decent job of executing zone defense in the second half,” said Moe. “But [the team] had difficulty converting those opportunities into baskets.”

Lommen rose to become the top scorer of the game as he brought in 11 points. The remainder of the points were divided among the rest of the team.

Alberton practice sessions before the next game will focus on breaking through defensive lines. They will also work to prevent steals while dribbling across the court.

“We have a great deal of difficulty stopping the dribble drive,” said Moe. “Part of that is on-ball defense and part of it is being late to rotate and help.”

Superior also played on Friday, going to Arlee to play against the Savage Heat. The boys took a tight victory with a final score of 47 to 42.

A particularly strong first half gave the Bobcats victory. As the guys came out with a healthy lead at the end of the first quarter, things were looking up. While Arlee rallied later in the game it was not enough to stop Superior’s advances.

The second half was a deadlock. In both quarters the teams scored identical numbers. Only Superior’s five point lead at the half kept the game from going into overtime.

Senior Jarrod Tippens had an amazing game as he led the Bobcats with 16 points. Tanner and Zylawy were close behind with eight and seven points respectively.

The Panther’s next game will be on Thursday, January 30, at Drummond. They will also play at home against Seeley-Swan on Friday, January 31, and in Lincoln on Saturday, February 1.

The Bobcats had a game on Tuesday, January 28, against the Thompson Falls Bluehawks. They will also play Friday in Hot Springs.