Panthers survive chaos

Published 11:24 pm Thursday, November 29, 2007

SNOHOMISH — Relax, it’s still November.

It wasn’t exactly a work of art, but led by senior forward Zach Wilde the Snohomish Panthers grinded out a 41-28 victory over the Kamiak Knights in the non-conference season opener for both teams Thursday night.

“First game, both teams played hard, but we just got more points,” Snohomish coach Len Bone said. “Most of our players haven’t been out there for that kind of a game and neither had the Kamiak guys. In two or three weeks we’re both going to be a lot better.”

“Openers are always chaotic,” Kamiak coach Greg Turcott said. “I told the kids afterwards to keep their heads up. We’re going to be fine and keep getting better all year long.”

Wilde, a 6-foot-6 four-year varsity standout, scored five points to help Snohomish jump out to a quick 7-0 lead and the Panthers never trailed.

Wilde, who scored seven points and grabbed five defensive rebounds as the Panthers managed a 19-13 lead by the end of the first half, hit a pair of baskets to lead an 9-0 Snohomish run at the outset of the third quarter.

Kamiak’s Jerad Parcells (nine points, seven rebounds) stopped the run by pounding in a bucket in the paint, but the Knights found themselves facing a 28-15 deficit with little more than a quarter to play.

In the opening two minutes of the final quarter, Wilde had assists to Kyle McGinnis and Brad Jeffries to help the Panthers double-up the visitors 32-16.

Wilde called it a night after scoring a pair of inside baskets to provide Snohomish with a 37-19 lead with 2:55 remaining in the game.

“Kamiak’s got some big boys on their team and it’s always fun to get in there and bang around,” Wilde said. “A lot of guys were getting their first exposure (on varsity), but we’ve got a lot of very unselfish guys who can pass the ball and create plays for people, On a given night anybody can score.”

“We’re expecting big things from Zach this year,” Bone said of Wilde, who added three assists. “And 16 points and 11 rebounds is a nice start.”

“(Wilde) is a very good team player,” Turcott noted. “On his own he will have big games, but he’ll always do it within the framework of the team.”

The opening game jitters showed as the two teams combined for 42 turnovers.

Kamiak shot a miserable 8-for-45 from the floor and finished 10-for-18 from the free-throw line.

Snohomish was much better from the field (19-for-44, 43 percent), but was a mediocre 3-for-9 on free-throw attempts.

Senior forward Ryan Leahy proved a formidable force off the bench for Snohomish with five rebounds.

“Ryan worked hard, banged around in there and did a good job,” Bone said.

After senior guard Clayton Johnson (10 points, six rebounds, two steals) knocked down a jumper to give Snohomish an early seven-point lead, the Panthers went scoreless during the last five minutes of the first quarter.

Kamiak’s Parcells scored five points to help the Knights draw within 9-8 by the end of the period.

Snohomish appeared ready to the crack the contest wide open with a fastbreak that fueled 10-1 spurt to start the second quarter. Senior guard Brad Low (six points, five steals, three assists) and Johnson scored four points each and Wilde’s leaner in the lane capped the run and gave the Panthers a 19-9 lead with 2:50 remaining in the first half.

Kamiak’s Skylar Stormo, seven points, responded by scoring four points — including a two on a long jumper from the left side at the buzzer — to draw the Knights back to within six at the break.

“I’m excited, I think this team is going to be reckoned with,” Bone said. “I thought we played good defense and worked hard.

“We pretty much worked as a group and made good decisions,” Bone continued. “Kamiak’s got a good team too, this just wasn’t really pretty.”

At Snohomish H.S.

Kamiak85312—28

Snohomish910913—41

Kamiak — Este-McDonald 3, Makori 3, Ju. Glenn 1, Stormo 7, Ruppel 2, Dremlyuga 3, Parcells 9, Houghtaling , Jo. Glenn, LaChapelle, Brown. Snohomish — Low 6, Johnson 10, Pecha 2, Wilde 16, McGinnis 2, Leahy 1, McGee 2, Jeffries 2, Shaw, Cummins, Wolfe. 3-point goals — Makori 1, Dremlyuga 1. JV result — Snohomish def. Kamiak. Records — Kamiak 0-1 overall. Snohomish 1-0.