The smooth sailing was nice while it lasted. But after dancing through the front end of its schedule unscathed, the Jefferson High girls’ basketball squad finally ran into two strong teams last weekend — and came away with its first losses of the season.
On Friday, the Lady Panthers took on Missoula Loyola, a rematch of their first-round match-up at last year’s Class B state tournament. The Breakers won that game handily, and they’re an undefeated juggernaut again this year, powered by 6’3” junior Spencer Laird and her sister, 6’ freshman guard Emme.
The result was a rough night for the Panthers. Loyola jumped to a 10-2 lead in the first quarter, with Hannah Stevens providing Jefferson’s only basket. The second quarter was just as quiet, with the Breakers outscoring the Panthers, 8-4. I’d guess six points in a half is the fewest the Panthers will score this year.
Jefferson made a run in the third quarter. Brianna Layng hit a pair of three-pointers, and Stevens added another three to get the crowd going. But Loyola put the game away in the final period, leaving Boulder with a 45-28 win. Layng led the Panthers with 9 points; Josie Oxarart had 6 and Stevens 5. Spencer Laird led the Breakers with 28.
The boys also lost, 58-48. Their game started almost as slowly as the girls’: Logan Frydenlund scored first for the Panthers, and Tyler Frydenlund made it 4-2. Tyzer Zody. Cobe Burnett and Logan Frydenlund all connected to give the Panthers a 10-6 lead at the end of one. The Jefferson offense picked up in the 2nd quarter, as Johnny Quigley scored and Frydenlund hit a three to give the Panthers a 21-8 edge, and the Panthers leaped to a 29-16 lead at the half.
And then, the tide shifted. Loyola cut the deficit 42-36 after three. And in the final period, the Panthers were up 44-41 when they were called for goaltending. That seemed to change the flow, as Loyola pulled ahead 49-44. Kobe Burnett’s bucket made it 49-46, but Loyola hit the next four points and held on for the win. Tyler Frydenlund led the Panthers with 20 points, Tyzer Zody chipped in 12, and Logan Frydenlund had 7.
On Saturday night the Panthers traveled to Ennis, and both teams had trouble getting the ball to go through the hoop. The Ennis girls came out running and took a quick 6-0 lead. Michaela Morris put up the first Jefferson score, and Oxarart hit a pair of free throws to make it 4-6. But the Mustangs closed out the quarter with a 11-1 run for a 17-5 lead.
The Panthers fought back in the second, pulling to within 14-17 on a basket by Stevens. But Ennis stayed up by 25-16 lead at the half, and extended the lead to 45-26 lead after three. In the final period, Parker Layng and Meredith Rieder both hit threes to make it 48-32. And Morris nailed a three and a pair of free throws. But the Panthers couldn’t claw their way back, dropping this one by 58-41.
In the boys’ game, Logan Frydenlund put in the first Panther points, Tyler Frydenlund hit an old-fashioned three, and Caleb Morris connected on a three to put the Panthers up 10-8. Zody made it 16-12 and the Panthers held a 16-15 edge at the end of one. The teams were tied at 22 after a Cam Redfield basket but Ennis closed out the first half with a 10-4 run to lead 42-32.
Down 50-33 with eight minutes to play, the Panthers pulled to within 55-41, but couldn’t make up the difference. Final: 58-41, Ennis.
