CLASS 1A GIRLS: Panther girls cap good Day with rout of Muckers

Dakota Day isn’t a stranger to important games throughout her career at Pahranagat Valley.

A senior, Day has been a two-sport standout for a school that routinely competes for Class 1A league and state titles.

So it shouldn’t come as any surprise that the Panther post was ready for her team’s 1A Southern League girls basketball championship game against Tonopah on Saturday at Durango.

Ready to dominate, that is.

Day poured in 19 points in the first half and helped the Panthers (17-8) cruise to a 58-28 win over Tonopah. Both teams advance to the state tournament, which begins Friday at Arbor View.

“She’s really had a great season,” Pahranagat Valley coach Amy Huntsman said of Day. “She has a lot of experience. She’s had to step up. If Dakota plays well, we play well.”

The Muckers (11-7) had no answer for Day, who finished with 30 points and 11 rebounds.

“It’s my senior year, and I just want to go out with a bang,” Day said. “When you come in as an underclassman, you get to see what it’s like, and feel the excitement. You still get the butterflies (now), but it’s not as bad. It’s easier to get the jitters out.”

And Day got plenty of help from junior post Halie Lewis, who added 22 points as the Panthers controlled the Muckers in the paint.

“Oh, heavens yes,” Huntsman responded when asked if the game plan was to go inside. “I don’t always have the taller team, but if they don’t have tall girls, we want to go inside.”

Day and Lewis combined to score 52 of the Panthers’ first 54 points, with Bailee Hosier’s basket midway through the third quarter the lone exception.

“I’ve played with Halie since her freshman year,” Day said. “We work together and we know what each other is going to do.”

Day’s first-half barrage helped the Panthers build leads of 18-3 after one quarter and 33-14 at the half, leaving the outcome in little doubt.

Kimberly Lewis grabbed 10 rebounds for the Panthers.

Tonopah added to its own misery by committing 20 turnovers in the first half. The Muckers finished the game with more turnovers (34) than points.

Deanna Van Poucke led Tonopah with eight points.