There’s a rule in Montana high school basketball that doesn’t often come into play: If the clock isn’t running, you can’t dunk the ball. Well, guess what: During warm-ups before Friday’s game at Broadwater, a Panther slammed home a dunk – and a referee actually whistled the technical foul.
That’s how Jefferson’s boys team found itself down, 2-0, before the game had even started. It was an unusual start to what turned out to be a hard-fought match. Fortunately, though, the Panthers made up the penalty and more, edging the Bulldogs, 56-55.
They did it on the strength of a big first half. Down 4-0, Kellen Meredith and Hunter Stevens hit three-pointers, the Stevens followed with a block and a basket, and the Panthers were off to the races. At the end of the period, they led, 22-15. In the second, Meredith’s long three gave the Panthers a 27-17 lead , Tyler Zody scored to make it 39-20, and Jefferson found itself comfortably ahead, 39-22, at the half.
