ELK HORN, Iowa — Class 2A No. 6 Panorama held off a late surge to hand Class 1A No. 3 Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton their first loss of the season in a non-conference battle Thursday.
Panorama (17-1) led, 28-26, at the half after scoring the final seven points of the second quarter. The Panthers began opening a lead, ending the third frame with a 44-34 advantage, but E/EH-K (14-1) had closed to within 48-46 with just over two minutes remaining before the Panorama put the game away.
“It was another hard fought battle,” Panorama head coach Kylee Boettcher said, noting her team was coming off a 44-41 win over 1A No. 10 and previously unbeaten Martensdale-St. Marys Tuesday. “Our bench played a huge part in the win and it was a complete team victory.”
The Panthers, who have reached the regional finals three consecutive years, have now beaten 1A No. 3 and No. 10, with a combined 28-2 record, over three days.
Payton Beckman and Jaidyn Sellers each scored 14 points to lead Panorama. Laci Rishel added nine points, with a season-best nine points provided by Zoey Hambleton. Six points from Angel Poldberg and six from Mia Waddle rounded out the scoring.
Sellers continued her strong play under the rim with 12 rebounds, with Beckman grabbing nine caroms and Rishel eight. Beckman and Rishel distributed five assists apiece.
The Panthers finished the game 11-of-17 at the foul line, with the Spartans sinking 20-of-29.
Quinn Grubbs (19), Macy Emgarten (17) and Shey Burmeister (10) led the attack for the home team.
Panorama travels to Woodward-Granger for a WCAC set Tuesday, then continues conference play with a visit from Des Moines Christian Feb. 4.
