The Kingsley-Pierson/River Valley boys basketball team squeaked out a one-point win at the Tyson Events Center’s Bomgaars Invitational on Thursday beating Cherokee 45-44.
The Panthers exploded to a 22-11 start in the first 10 and a half minutes. After that, Cherokee outscored the Panthers 13-2 to finish the half tied at 24. Head coach Lance Howe says it was simply a matter of who had more stamina which determined who had the upper hand in the first half.
The game carried on with a back-and-forth style with neither team getting more than a five-point advantage for the rest of the game. Cherokee ran a zone against the Panthers which helped slow the game down. Coach Howe says his guys had to adapt to that zone and attack it better.
Beau Goodwin continued to lead the Panthers in more ways than one. He had 14 points in the win, but Coach Howe says his passing and ability to create for other guys has added an extra wrinkle to his game.
As the Panthers move forward with a 6-2 record, Coach Howe hopes the win continues to fuel a young team of underclassmen.
The Panthers finish off the calendar year with a couple of home non-conference matchups with West Sioux and Kuemper Catholic. Cherokee dropped to 2-6 on the year with the loss.
