Panthers nip Lions to stay in second

It was an up and down week for the Bonney Lake High girls basketball team. The team took a crucial one-point win over Auburn Mountainview and closed the week with a loss to Lakes.

It was an up and down week for the Bonney Lake High girls basketball team. The team took a crucial one-point win over Auburn Mountainview and closed the week with a loss to Lakes.

As the Panthers drive toward the playoffs the team is holding on to second place with a 10-3 South Puget Sound League 3A record. Enumclaw is in third with a 9-3 record while White River heads the pack at 13-0.

Bonney Lake hosted Franklin Pierce Tuesday; scores were not available. The Panthers go on the road for a 7 p.m. game Thursday at White River. The Hornets beat Bonney Lake in their first meeting 63-51 Jan. 9 on the Panthers’ court.

Bonney Lake lost to Lake 76-68 Friday on the road.

Coach Tom Ostrander said the team “came out flat and we were down by 17 at the half. They played a lot better in the second half, but we started trading baskets. Lakes played really well and didn’t miss much.”

Marcel Pounds led the scoring with 22 and Tosha Lyonais knocked down 19.

The Panthers beat Auburn Mountainview 51-50 Jan. 27.

Ostrander said the Lions presented “a lot of matchup problems for us. It was good to win a close game.”

Auburn Mountainview took the lead in the first 12-6, but Bonney Lake outscored the Lions in the second 16-10 and 13-12 in the third. The teams played even in the fourth and the Panthers escaped with the win.

Pounds hit 14 and Rani Wiegand 13.

Reach Dennis Box at dbox@courierherald.com or 360-802-8209.