Panther girls victorious over Eagle JV

Barbara Lawlor

Nederland

The Nederland High Schools Girls’ Basketball Team had a taste of victory last Thursday night, Jan. 5, when it took on the Gilpin County Eagles’ Junior Varsity Team.

The game was decided by agreement with coaches last spring. The Eagles’ team had reached its maximum of 19 games and had to change the schedule. It was decided to give the Gilpin JV a chance to play at the varsity level and give the struggling Panthers a competitive game. The Gilpin varsity girls are 8-0 in the season.

Panther Mackenzie Belden put the first mark on the scoreboard, followed by two good free throws and another score. With a 6-0 lead, Nederland girls ended the first period on a high note. The second period scores went to Laura Stadele. The Nederland defense gave up only one basket to the Eagles before halftime.

In the third period, Amanda Cook was unstoppable, coming up with eight points after working her quick-as-a-flash getaways. Belden scored four points. The Eagles’ Maria Garcia sank a three-pointer and Ariel Planck scored, but the Eagles slipped farther away, 23-7, by the fourth quarter.

Gilpin took possession of the ball and slowed down the game, hitting a three-pointer and a couple of layups, but the Panthers prevailed. They danced off the court with joy.

Mackenzie Belden scored 13 points, had five rebounds, one block and one steal; Laura Stadele had four points, eight rebounds and two steals; Amanda Cook had eight points and three steals; Kalina Culver had five rebounds and Lili Haffey had two rebounds.

On Saturday, the Panthers traveled to Bellevue where they took on the Bruins and came home with a 37-12 loss in a hard-fought game.

The next home game will be on Saturday, Jan. 28, against Front Range Christian beginning at 12:30 p.m.