Dayton Boys Struggle In Early Games

DAYTON - The Dayton boys basketball team struggled against the River View Pan­thers last Tuesday night, fall­ing 26-46 at the end of a slow game.

The first period opened with both teams fumbling to get the ball down the court and taking wide shots. The Panthers put the first points on the board with a three-point shot with 4:52 remaining in the period.

Neither team hit the net enough to take a substantial lead, ending the first period with a score of 6-9, Panthers.

In the second period, the Panthers put the ball up, but couldn't make any shots, working their half of the court and keeping the ball away from the Bulldogs. The Bull­dogs struggled to take the ball down the court when they had possession, but took shots at every opportunity.

The Bulldogs moved like they were running drills but couldn't adjust to the Panther's movements quickly enough to shut the team down. Neither team put many points on the board in the second period, ending the half with a score of 10-17, Panthers.

Both teams returned from halftime with the same slow pacing, keeping the scores close and low and leaving the outcome up in the air. The Bulldogs put up seven points and the Panthers put up eight, ending the third period with a score of 17-25, Panthers.

Finally, in the fourth period, both teams began to pick up their pacing. The Panthers had the luxury of a large bench, re­placing their five with a rested team whenever necessary. But the Bulldogs wouldn't be de­terred by numbers.

The Bulldogs started to pick up momentum, working together instead of as individu­ally rehearsed movements. The shift was too little too late as the Panthers garnered equal momentum, widening the score gap with successful three-pointers. Both teams moved more smoothly and ef­fectively, making some moves and shots they were unable to execute earlier in the game.

The game ended after rapid struggle between the teams with a final score of 25-46, Panthers.

Dayton vs. Kennewick

Kennewick's junior var­sity team used a barrage of three-pointers while placing a premium on ball-security to easily down Dayton, 62-43, in the Bulldogs' second game of the season last Saturday.

The Class 3A Lions squad of juniors and a few sopho­mores hit 10 shots from behind the arc. The Lions committed a paltry nine turnovers for the game while forcing Dayton into 22 turnovers.

The game was a rout from the beginning.

The Lions used their su­perior quickness to stymie Dayton's offense early, while hitting four of their 10 treys in the first period. By the 1:50 mark of the first quarter, Ken­newick held an 18-2 lead.

Dayton closed the gap to nine points three times in the early second quarter, but could never pull closer. Kennewick's biggest lead was 28 points-a lead they achieved midway through the fourth period.

"We allowed these guys to get us into their game, and their game is up and down the floor and a little bit out of control," Dayton coach Roy Ramirez said. "Our defensive pressure wasn't there tonight, but it's something we can build on. I'm glad (Kennewick) did what they did, because it al­lows us to see what we need to do and help with our rotation defensively. We just weren't quick enough tonight and they're a very quick team."

Wyatt Frame and Isaiah Lambert both scored in double figures for the Bulldogs with 11 and 10 points, respec­tively. Frame almost claimed a double-double by securing nine rebounds, the high total for his squad.

Kennewick's Daryuntae Young posted 15 points for the Lions, and point guard Alexis Fernandez added 13 more.

"Against Elgin, we played a better defensive game," said Ramirez. "But they weren't as fast as these guys (Ken­newick). Friday night's game (against Elgin) we shot the ball better-it was just an all- around better effort."