Central Oregonian

Redmond defeats CCHS

Panthers pull away late to take 11-point victory

Chance Sutfin

Lon Austin

January 31, 2013

Central Oregonian

The Redmond Panthers broke open a close game late in the contest to take a 45-34 victory over the Crook County Cowboys in Tuesday night Intermountain Hybrid basketball action.

“We played well, but ended up losing by 11,” said Crook County head coach Jeff Lowenbach. “It was a hard- fought game and was never more than six points either way until the last four minutes.”

The Panthers led 11-8 at the end of the first quarter, and clung to a 24-20 lead at the half. Redmond’s Trevor Genz hit a three late in the third quarter to push the Panther lead to 35-27 going into the fourth quarter.

The Cowboys made a run, closing the gap to four points midway through the final period.

Unfortunately, Crook County was unable to make their shots down the stretch and the Panthers gradually pulled away.

“Defensively, we did some really good things, but we were a few shots short on the offensive end again,” Lowenbach said.

The taller Panthers outrebounded the Cowboys 24-21 in the contest. Preston Washechek finished with a game-high nine rebounds to lead Crook County.

However, the difference in the game came at the free throw line where the Panthers were 16-22, while the Cowboys hit just six of 13 free throw attempts.

Dillon Dees led the Cowboys offensive attack with 11 points, while Troy Benton added eight, and Chance Sutfin came off the bench to score seven. Matt Dahlen and Trevor Genz each scored 15 to lead the Panthers.

“Our intensity and our defense was what carried us through most of the game,” Lowenbach said. “Sutfin coming off the bench was a spark plug for us. He provided us with a lot of energy and we feed off of that.”

With the loss, the Cowboys fall to 6-11, while the Panthers raise their record to 13-4.

Crook County is back in action tonight when they travel to Redmond to take on the Ridgeview Ravens.

The game is a must-win contest for the Cowboys if they have any hope of earning a play-in game.

With both teams mired far down the OSAA?power rankings, only the winner of the three-game series will qualify for a play-in game. The 4-14 Ravens defeated the Cowboys 49-40 in the first game of their three-game series. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 29

Redmond 45, Crook County 34

at Redmond

Crook County (34) — Dillon Dees 11, Benton 8, Sutfin 7, Washechek 5, Mahurin 3, Dean, Rutz, Cooper, Egbert, Tavernia, Sofich. Totals 12 6-13 34.

Redmond (45) — Matt Dahlen 15, Trevor Genz 15, Powell 5, Cravens 3, Rodby 3, Brown 2, Bordges 2, Thomas, Davies. Totals 13 16-22 45.

Crook County 8 12 7 7 — 34

Redmond 11 13 11 10 — 45

Three-point goals — Crook County: Benton 2, Mahurin, Dees; Redmond: Genz 2, Cravens.