×
×
homepage logo

Panthers build on undefeated District 11 record with win over Velva

By Sue Sitter - | Feb 12, 2022

Submitted photo Panthers guard Kory Vetsch moves past the key to land a bucket against Velva in Rugby High School's Hanneman Gym Feb. 5.

The Rugby Panthers kept their undefeated record in District 11 boys’ basketball games when the squad defeated the Velva Aggies 59-45 in Rugby High School’s Charlie Hanneman Gym on Feb. 5.

“I was happy with their effort tonight,” said Head Coach Mike Santjer. “They worked really hard for 32 minutes.”

Aggies, who sit in second place in District 11, stayed on the Panthers’ heels for much of the game. In the first half, the Panthers formed a defensive wall inside the paint to keep Velva away from the goal. Velva’s Preston Kraft sank two three pointers from a distance. Velva’s Kyle Sandy received three personal fouls as he tried to move inside the Panthers’ barricade. Sandy made three of five bonus shots.

Panthers, meanwhile, showed versatility when Logan Harner landed the first bucket of the game for two. Erik Foster landed one three pointer, then Kory Vetsch landed another, plus one from inside the paint. Brody Schneibel made one rebound shot, then a layup. The quarter ended with a slim 14-11 Panthers lead.

Panthers stretched their lead in the second quarter, thanks to nine points, all from three-pointers by Harner. Rylan Hildenbrand, a sophomore guard, moved off the bench to contribute a three-point shot of his own. Center Garrett Sullivan and Foster each boosted the score by two. The Panthers led 30-24 at halftime, with four Velva points made by free throws from Panther fouls on Sandy and Ben Schepp.

In the third quarter, “we kind of had not a great quarter,” Santjer said of the Panthers. “They needed to get back in the game a little bit.”

Aggies charged onto the court, unleashing an offense that netted 16 points. Three pointers came from Velva’s Kraft and Thomas Bodine. Carter Noonan, Payton Bodine, Schepp and Patrick Effertz all made good on shot attempts. While Rugby stayed out of foul trouble, it found more trouble getting around the Aggies’ press. Will Kuntz drew a foul and scored two bonus points. Schneibel landed one shot from afar for three and another from inside the lane for two. Foster also moved through traffic to land a shot. However, at the quarter’s end, the Panthers trailed 39-40.

The fourth quarter saw better results.

“We battled back and took care of business when we needed to. So, I’m really proud of the kids,” Santjer said.

Panthers amped up their defense, limiting Aggies to just five points. Effertz, Caden Chadwick and Payton Bodine all received bonus shot opportunities on Panthers’ fouls, however, only Chadwick connected on a free throw. Chadwick and Payton Bodine had each drawn their fouls on two-point buckets.

Meanwhile, Panthers’ offensive push included six points on three-point shots from Jacob Ripplinger, single three pointer from Foster after he landed the Panthers’ go-ahead shot at the start of the quarter. Foster would lead all scorers for the evening with 16 points.

Panthers put 20 points on the board in the fourth quarter to win the game 59-45.

After the win, Santjer said the Panthers “put a little pressure on (the Aggies). They made them handle the ball for all 32 minutes. We knew they didn’t have much depth tonight. Velva’s a really good, physical team. So, we needed to play that way, and we did. I’m just really happy with the kids.”