In a close boys hoops game against the Panorama Panthers Dec. 5, the most telling statistic may be rebounding. The Panthers grabbed 44 rebounds – 27 defensive and 17 offensive – to the Rams 22 rebounds, of which 15 were defensive and seven were offensive. The Rams lost the game, 70-66, to fall to 1-2 on the season.
The game was close throughout, with the Rams down by one point, 16-15, after one quarter of play. The Rams were ahead at halftime, 31-29, and ahead after three quarters, 50-49. They didn’t score in the first three minutes of the final stanza, giving the host Panthers the edge.
The Rams were without 6′ 6″ Jesse Miller due to illness, but Richard Daugherty, an All-State football player who is also a leader on the hardwood, scored 36 points to lead all players in scoring. Daugherty made six 3-point baskets, five 2-point baskets, and eight of 10 free throws to amass his total. He shot 2-s at 61.1 percent and threes at 50 percent. He added five rebounds and five assists to the team effort.
Nathan Behne scored 10 points, including a pair of tres and two free throws. He led the team in rebounds, with four offensive and three defensive rebounds. Brynley Ruzicka made two long buckets, two field goals, and a free throw for seven points. Gabe Ebersole added six points, Brayden Roberts scored four points, and Patrick Daugherty had three points.
As a team, the Rams shot at 44.1 percent from the floor and 73.7 percent from the line. That free throw percentage is much improved since the Rams’ opener a week ago.
Maddox Hammerstrom led the Panthers in scoring with 21 points, followed by AJ Draper with 20 points. The Panthers shot at 53.1 percent from the floor and 67.9 percent from the free throw line.
The Ram girls fell to 0-3 with a 69-23 loss to the Panthers. The score was 22-5 after one quarter and 45-12 at halftime. The clock started running continuously with the Panther’s first basket of the second half; the Rams were held scoreless the entire third quarter while the Panthers scored 14 points. They scored 11 points to the Panthers’ 10 points in the final quarter.
Emma Hoyle and Grace Hardaway scored six points apiece, with Hardaway making two 3-point shots. Esther Van Horn scored five, including one 3-pointer, Ashlynn Hinners scored four points, and Payton Kokenge added two. As a team, the Rams made 26.2 percent of their shots from the floor and two of three free throws.
Kamryn Sanders again led her team in rebounds, with eight defensive rebounds and two offensive boards.
Mia Waddle led the Panthers in scoring with 18 points. Her team totaled 36 rebounds, with 23 defensive rebounds and 13 offensive rebounds.
The Rams host the South Hamilton Hawks Tuesday evening in Jefferson.
