Barbara Lawlor, Nederland. The Nederland boys basketball team doesn't give up. They play equally as hard from the beginning of a game to the end of it, even with a hefty score difference.

Although they are often frustrated, the Panthers help a fallen opponent get to his feet; they also have words of encouragement for each other.

Last week the Ned boys played two home games, one against the Jefferson High School Saints and the other against the Alexander Dawson Mustangs.

On Tuesday's game, January 20, the Panthers lost to the Saints, 42-59. The Ned boys were cold in the first period, scoring only six points to the Saints' 16. Jefferson's shooters scored on most attempts and at halftime the Saints were up 34-19.

A few defensive adjustments helped the Panthers slow down the Saints in the second half and Ned boys were able to move in for the points in the fourth period.

Scores by period: 6-16  13-18  7-16  16-09

On Friday, January 23, the Panthers hosted the Alexander Dawson Mustangs and hung in there to win the game 42-40 in a down-to-the-last-second battle. The Panthers are now 2-5.

At first it looked as if the Ned boys would thrash the Mustangs. Ike Thibedeau and Jack Abendroth each scored four points before the Mustangs saw the scoreboard and then Mike Airola and newcomer Gabe Larrabee found their openings and the first period ended with Ned ahead 17-7.

In the second period, Thibedeau targeted three free throws and a field goal and Jack and Abe each scored a basket, and the Panthers still held a large lead, 26-17, at halftime. But hopes for a big win were dashed in the third period when the Panthers couldn't find the basket and the Dawson boys found their groove, closing the point gap to end the third period with a 32-32 tie score.

The Mustangs inched ahead. With three minutes left in the game, they were ahead 34-39. Thibedeau and Jaylan Rasdall both were fouled and scored in both free throws and it was a one point game. 38-39.  A Dawson free throw made it a two-point game; Jack Abendroth sank two free throws and with 1.21 minutes, it was a tied game.

The Ned boys scrambled to keep the Mustangs from scoring, fighting every second to move the ball to their court. In the last 21 seconds, Mike Airola stole the ball and streaked downcourt, throwing himself into the air and sinking a basket to the roar of the crowd; spectators jumping to their feet and screaming.

Dawson had one more chance: they picked up a free throw and missed and the game belonged to the Panthers.

Jack Abendroth had a double double with 15 points and 10 rebounds; Ike Thibedeau had a double double with 16 points and 16 rebounds.

Score by periods: 17-7  9-10  6-15  10-8

Individual statistics:

Jack Abendroth: 15 points, 10 rebounds, 6 steals, 1 block

Mike Airola: 4 points, 1 block, 3 steals

Kieran Haffey: 1 rebound

Jarod Rasdall: 2 rebounds

Jaylan Rasdall: 2 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals

Kellen Saqueira: 1 point, 4 rebounds

Gabe Larrabee: 2 points, 6 rebounds

Ike Thibedeau: 16 points, 16 rebounds, 1 block

The Panthers’ next home game will be this Friday, January 30, against Front Range Christian at 5:30. The Falcons are 6-6 for the season.