Panthers maul Mounties
Kretzer leads with double-double effort
Siloam Springs enjoyed its first home game in more than three weeks.
The Panthers returned to the Panther Activity Center and rolled past Rogers High 52-30 in a nonconference boys basketball game on Tuesday night.
Siloam Springs, which had played its previous six games on the road in tournaments and went 1-5 in that stretch, dominated in all phases of the game.
The Panthers held the Mounties to 2 of 15 shooting from behind the arc, punished Rogers on the glass and hit seven 3-pointers of their own offensively. It was the Panthers’ first home game since Nov. 21 when it lost to Rogers Heritage 50-34.
“We’re so proud that through this stretch where we’ve lost several of these games where we’re right there to win and we make a bad decision late, they just kept their attitudes where they need to be and their work ethic,” said Siloam Springs coach Tim Stewart. “Then you come out and you have a game like this, finally get to play at home and beat a good Rogers team and have one of those victories that changes the atmosphere in the locker room. It’s a good payday for the kids.”
Harrison Kretzer led the Panthers with a double-double performance of 14 points and 11 rebounds, including several on the offensive glass, while Josh Hunt and Spencer Lashley each had nine points and Charlie Jones eight points.
Noah Karp added six points, while Omar Vazquez, Josh Heinrichs and Aaron Garst each scored two points for the Panthers.
Siloam Springs gave up an early offensive stickback to Rogers’ Jake Benninghoff to trail 2-0 and they were behind 3-2 after a free throw from Rogers’ A-Ron Jones.
The Panthers wound up out-rebounding Rogers 3720, but early on Stewart was concerned that the Mounties were outworking the Panthers on the glass.
“They were beating us right off the bat, and we took a timeout and challenged them,” Stewart said.
A 3-pointer from the wing by Josh Hunt gave the Panthers the lead 5-3 and they would never trail the rest of the way.
The Panthers led 11-7 after the first quarter and extended to 26-16 at halftime.
Kretzer had a pair of offensive rebounds in a possession midway through the second quarter which led to a pair of free throws. He had a stickback later in the quarter to give the Panthers a 23-14 lead.
“Kretzer was a machine tonight. He is a warrior,” Stewart said. “When you challenge him, he is one of those team leaders that keeps finding ways to improve his game. Tonight it was rebounding. Rogers has some big physical kids, and we did a great job — after that little spurt early — of blocking out.”
A 3-pointer from Charlie Jones made it 26-14 before Rogers pulled within 10 at halftime.
Siloam Springs opened the third quarter on a 14-1 to blow the game open. Kretzer hit a 3-pointer to start the run, and Lashley and Noah Karp added 3-pointers. Lashley’s layup made it 40-17 and the Panthers led by as many as 24 points.
Jake Benninghoff led Rogers (4-5) with 12 points.
Rogers coach Wayne Herren said the Mounties didn’t make enough shots against Siloam Springs’ 3-2 zone defense to stay in the game.
“We didn’t make shots against a 3-2 zone, and if you can’t make shots it’s difficult,” Herren said. “We had a bad practice yesterday, and tough as it sounds I hope it was a learning lesson.”
Siloam Springs 52, Rogers 30 Siloam Springs 59, Tahlequah Sequoyah 49
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Josh Hunt scored a teamhigh 20 points and Siloam Springs picked up a road win at Tahlequah (Okla.) Sequoyah on Friday night.
It was the Panthers’ final game before the Christmas break.
“It was the first game this season we put it all together, offense, defense, transition and most importantly, ball control,” said head coach Tim Stewart. “We shot well, hititng nine 3s and got to the free-throw line, hitting 14 of 15. Best of all we limited our turnovers.
“Defensively we did a great job taking away their two best players and our zone slides were as good as they’ve been this season. Very proud of our team, great way to go into the Christmas break.”
The Panthers (4-7) led 2112 after the first quarter, but Sequoyah rallied for a 33-30 lead at halftime.
The two teams were tied 42-42 going into the fourth quarter, where the Panthers outscored the Indians 17-7.
Charlie Jones chipped in 13 points for the Panthers, while Omar Vazquez had nine, Harrison Kretzer seven, Noah Karp five, Spencer Lashley three and Josh Heinrichs two.
The Panthers will return to action on Dec. 28-30 in the annual Siloam Springs Holiday Classic held at the Panther Activity Center.