Gilmanton Lady Panthers continue conference play

by Rachel Hovey, student writer

The Lady Panthers played two Dairyland Conference games last week, hosting Blair-Taylor on Tuesday, Jan. 12, and traveling to Whitehall on Friday, Jan. 15.

The Panthers stuck with the Wildcats in the beginning, but eventually the Wildcats pulled away. Blair-Taylor changed their defenses to cause confusion for the Lady Panthers. At halftime, the Wildcats led 27-9. The Lady Panthers continued work hard in an attempt to catch the Wildcats but were unsuccessful, resulting in a 70-32 loss for the Panthers.

Jordyn Bloom led with nine points, Julia Branger had seven, and CallieRae Long chipped in with four. Branger was the leader in rebounds with 13, and Long snatched five. Branger was credited with four assists and Kaitlyn Johnson with three. Long had two blocks while Rachel Hovey chipped in one.

The Lady Panthers then traveled to Whitehall on Friday to take on the Norse. The Panthers had high hopes of gaining their first win. Both teams struggled to make baskets early on, keeping the game close. At the end of the first half, the score was 20-12 with the Panthers trailing by eight. The Norse then pulled away in the second half, securing a 50-32 win.

Branger and Bloom had eight points apiece, followed by Hovey with seven, Johnson with four, Makayla Saul had three, while Johanna Wulff and Hailey Bork each chipped in one. Branger grabbed 11 rebounds, and Bloom had six. Bloom and Branger led in assists with three. Branger, Bloom, and Johnson each snatched two steals. Long also had a block.

The Panthers have one game this week on Thursday, Jan. 21, when they will host Cochrane-Fountain City.