Panthers get their first conference win

by Morgan Bork, student writer

On Tuesday, Feb. 3, the Gilmanton girls basketball team hosted Eleva-Strum, earning their second win of the season, 54-51, and picking up their first Dairyland Conference win.

Both teams came out playing strong ending the first quarter tied at 9-9. The intensity would stay strong from the Panthers, who went into halftime with a 22-15 lead.

The Lady Panthers came out from halftime knowing it was time to keep up the intensity and even add more. The Gilmanton girls maintained that high level of play for the rest of the game, resulting in the hard-fought, three-point victory.

Lexie Severson led the team with 23 points followed by Morgan Bork with 11, Julia Branger with nine, Jordyn Bloom with five, and Rachel Hovey and Morgan Fillmore chipped in three points apiece.

On Friday, Feb. 6, the girls traveled to Eau Claire to take on the Immanuel Lutheran Lancers.

The Lancers came out with intense penetration and shooting, going into first quarter with a 31-4 lead.  The Lady Panthers matched up with a different group of girls, resulting in outscoring Immanuel in the second quarter, 7-2, but the Lady Panthers still went into halftime down 33-11. 

Coming out of the locker room the Lady Panthers knew all they could do was have fun and play their hardest. The game was a tough battle, resulting in a 65-25 loss for Gilmanton.

Bork led the team with nine points followed by Branger with six, Bloom with four, and Hovey and Makayla Saul both added two points each.

Gilmanton hosted the Alma/Pepin Eagles on Monday, Feb. 9, and will travel to Independence on Thursday, Feb. 12, to take on the Indees.