The Pinnacle Canyon Academy high school boys’ basketball team scored a dominating 77-34 victory over Westridge Academy on Tuesday, taking home their second win of the season.
The Panthers’ only trailing moment of Tuesday’s game was when they missed the tip-off. However, a quick steal and lay-up put the Panthers up 2-0 and they never looked back. At the end of the first period, the Panthers had scored 25 points, and held Westridge to only eight.
The second period was even more dominating, as the Panthers held Westridge to only seven points, while scoring 20 of their own, continuing to put the pressure on on defense. After halftime, the Panthers did not use their press defense as hard, but were still able to hold Westridge to an even lower score of four points in the period. The Panthers continued their dominance in the final period and ended the game with a 45-point margin.
“The first half we used our press a lot and got a lot of turnovers, a lot of easy, fast, breakaway lay-ups, but with this team we’re deeper so we’re able to run more, which is fun for the kids,” said head coach Cameron Gardner.
The depth on the Panthers’ bench is what Gardner said is already making a difference, and will continue to do so. The depth, which Pinnacle has not had in the past, makes it easier to keep the pace of play quick, because of the ability to substitute so often.
“One thing about our team this year is we have more depth than we’ve ever had, so if they’re out there and they’re wanting to play, then if they’re not playing hard, I have other kids to put in, so they know that, so they want to stay out there,” said Gardner.
For the Panthers, senior Levi Rutherford scored a team-high 20 points with seven two-pointers and two three-pointers. He also tallied five assists and four steals. Senior Brandon Otto scored 10 points on five fields goals. Senior Noah Mascarenas tallied four assists and four steals.
The Panthers, now 2-0 overall before beginning Region 19 play, will play at home on Friday against Intermountain Christian School at 7 p.m.
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