Panthers roll to three more wins

The Bonney Lake Panther girls rolled up a three-win week on the basketball court, including a victory over district rival Sumner.

The Bonney Lake Panther girls rolled up a three-win week on the basketball court, including a victory over district rival Sumner.

Bonney Lake beat Lakes at home Saturday 56-48. The game was rescheduled after being cancelled Dec. 19 due to snow.

The Panthers played host to Sumner Friday and won 68-34. It was the first time in the four-year history of the school the Panthers were able to claim a victory over the Spartans.

Bonney Lake started the win streak Jan. 13 with a 60-56 nonleague victory over Auburn High.

The Panthers are setting in third place in the South Puget Sound League 3A with a 6-2 record, 10-2 overall. The team is poised to make the playoffs, another first for girls basketball at Bonney Lake High.

White River leads the league with an 8-0 record and Enumclaw is in second at 7-1.

The Panthers traveled to Enumclaw Tuesday – scores were not available – and will host Peninsula at 7 p.m. Friday before traveling to Clover Park for a 3 p.m. game Saturday.

Against Lakes, Marcel Pounds lit the basket on fire, dropping in 20 points to lead all scorers. Brittany Kennedy poured in 14.

Before the Sumner game Coach Tom Ostrander said he “laid into them a little bit” to get the girls fired up for a stronger start than usual.

The Panthers have a tendency to fall behind early and come on strong in the later frames, but Ostrander had seen enough of the late-game drama.

“They did a good job of starting off strong,” Ostrander said. “They are starting to understand defense wins games and the offense will come. This game was a good group effort.”

A key to the Panther defense was Rachel Wiegand’s defense on Sumner’s top scorer, Angie Wagar-Sanchez.

“Rachel is our defensive lock-down player,” Ostrander said. “She did a great job.”

Pounds had another huge night offensively, scorching the Spartans for 22 points. Rachel Wiegans hit for 11.

Against Auburn, Murray led Bonney Lake with 16 points, Killmer hit for 11 and Pounds added 10.

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