GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bonney Lake Panthers’ play-off position continues to look positive

Published 1:30 pm Monday, February 1, 2010

The Bonney Lake Panthers had to overcome two first-period deficits before recording a couple of key South Puget Sound League 3A wins last week over Lakes and Auburn Mountainview.

After watching Lakes jump out to a 12-point lead early Friday night, Bonney Lake rallied for a 79-62 home-court win.

The Panthers started their comeback with Marcel Pounds drilling a 3-pointer, then scoring off a steal. A 17-4 run by Bonney Lake put the Panthers ahead 23-22. The Lancers took the lead again at 24-23, but Rani Wiegand’s layup off a rebound gave Bonney Lake a 25-24 advantage and the Panther never relinquished the lead.

Pounds scored 14 of her game-high 32 points in the second period as the Panthers went into intermission ahead 35-28.

In the second half, Bonney Lake continued to increase its margin with playing aggressive defense and the Lancers were never able to get back in the game.

A layup by Carli Elwin gave the Panthers a 17-point lead, 54-37, lead midway through the third period.

A Pounds’ layup off a steal produced the Panthers’ largest lead, 62-43, with 6:50 remaining.

Wiegand scored 17 points, all coming in the final three periods. She was 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.

Pounds hit four 3-pointers in the win.

“We’re working a lot harder in practice,” Pounds said. “It’s affecting our game and we’re playing more like a team. We’re also playing better team defense.”

The Panthers rallied from a first-quarter deficit to take a 43-41 league win over the Auburn Mountainview Lions in Auburn Jan. 26.

The Lions took a 18-9 lead and went into halftime ahead 24-17. But Bonney Lake outscored the Lions 17-10 in the third for a 34-34 tie to start the final period.

Pounds hit 13 and Wiegand netted 12 in the win.

Bonney Lake will host White River Thursday and closes out the regular season at home Feb. 11 against Sumner.