Alberton hoopers gain experience in losses
The wins aren’t coming, but experience is.
That may be of little consolation to Alberton players and fans, but it is to be expected in any team’s first seasons in varsity sports in several years.
Both the boys and girls teams fell to 0-5 on the year with a pair of losses each this past weekend.
The Panther boys started off the week in Lincoln with a 71-25 loss before coming home Saturday where they were beaten 69-18 Two Eagle River.
The girls also had a rough time, falling on the road to Lincoln, 54-15, then putting up a good fight before dropping a home game to Two Eagle River, 41-25.
On the positive side, both teams fought and scrapped throughout the defeats, especially the girls in their game Saturday night against the Lady Eagles.
The Lady Panthers dug themselves a deep hole in the Saturday game, falling behind 14-2 after the first quarter, then 31-11 at the half.
However, they kept diving for loose balls and putting up shots from all over the court and outscored the visitors 11-6 in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 37-22 with one quarter to play, but could not overcome the Lady Eagles lead.
The story was much the same on the road versus Lincoln, where the Lady Panthers trailed 16-0 after one quarter of play, then found themselves behind 27-5 at halftime.
Lincoln controlled the backboards and passing lanes the rest of the way to secure the win.
It was an almost identical set of games for the boys, who trailed Lincoln 25-9 after one period of play, then could never overcome the large Lynx lead. The Alberton boys battled hard in the second quarter, but were shut out 17-0 in the third quarter as Lincoln coasted to the win to improve their record to 2-2 on the young season.
A bright note for the Panthers was the team high 18 points scored by Jonah Renaud.
Saturday night the taller, quicker Eagles also jumped out to a big early lead, topping the Panthers 16-2 after the first quarter of play, then forging ahead 38-9 at halftime.
Two Eagle River kept up the pressure the rest of the way to square their season mark at 2-2.
Both Alberton teams travel to Charlo this Thursday night to close out 2022 play.