The Panther boys under the direction of Coach Mac McDowell start the season with a young unexperienced squad. The team has only three senior and juniors. Seniors are Jared Leuthold and Rison Curtis. Coach McDowell hopes to get quality time on the court from Leuthold, Zach Buntjer, Brandon Kramer and Noah Kruse. The Panthers finished ninth in the Red Rock conference last year and hope to improve that record in 2016-17.
12-3-16
Lac qui Parle Valley 68 Ellsworth 37
The Panther boys opened their season facing LQPV in nonconference action. It was a seesaw battle at the beginning but LQPV quickly turned the table and handily defeated the Panthers.
For the Panthers scoring action came from Zach Buntjer, Brandon Kramer, but a 11-2 run at the end of the first half put LQPV in control of the game.
The second half was no better for the Panthers and they were defeated 68-37.
Leading scorers for the Panthers were Brandon Kramer had 14 points and Zach Buntjer had 10.
Jared Leuthold led the Panthers with six rebounds.
12-9-16
Adrian 72, Ellsworth 51
The Dragons from Adrian came to town and defeated the Panthers 72-51. The Dragons led with their height advantage and senior center Mitchell Lonneman to put four players into double figures for a 21-point victory over Ellsworth.
Ellsworth was led by Nathan Wallenberg, who scored 15 points. Jared Leuthold, Brandon Kramer and Zach Buntjer each had six rebounds for the Panthers. Leuthold also had four assists and three steals.
Adrian 45 72 Ellsworth 23 51
