Cat vs. Cat and GSW Panthers Take the Win

By Dennis Bowling

Beecher Coach Adam Keen was looking to start the new year on a winning note, but at the close of the third quarter, the Bobcats were trailing Gardner-South Wilmington by a 29-23 count. In the final stanza, the Panthers outscored Beecher by a 17-5 count to seal the win on January 2. GSW beat Beecher, 46-28, in a River Valley Conference contest in Gardner.

Bobcat senior Kendall Kasput, a 5’-4” guard, scored a team-high seven points and had five rebounds. Senior Emma Tiltgest finished with six points, sophomore Aylin Lagunas had six points and five rebounds, while freshman Ava Pattenaude registered six points and five steals.

“Kendall is a spirited competitor,” said Keen. “She had some nice looks at the basket and was able to take the ball to the basket. Emma is doing a great job coming off the bench. She can help our offense and has been able to hold her own.”

“Aylin had a strong game in the second half and was attacking the basket, while we always look for Ava to create our offense,” he noted. “She was trying to take over the game.”

GSW held a 21-13 half time lead. In the third quarter, Beecher rallied with single baskets from Lagunas, Pattenaude, and Sydney Bonham that cut the Panther margin to 21-19.

Moments later, Pattenaude’s bucket narrowed the GSW lead to 28-21. A Kasput basket cut the Panthers lead to 28-23, but the third stanza still ended with the Panthers holding a 29-23 advantage.

“We played well as a team, our shots were falling, and we were very energetic,” said Kasput. “Emma’s  shooting was lights out, plus Aylin is doing better.”

Tiltgest described the loss to GSW, saying, “At times, it was just frustrating. We really wanted to beat our rival GSW. It was a fast game, and they were pushing us. Kendall is playing well, though, and is a good leader.”

Lagunas, a 5’-9” forward who is trying to find her way around the basket, commented, “I am just starting to learn my position. My defense is getting my confidence going.”

Pattenaude felt the Bobcats were doing well against GSW, and remarked, “We were playing hard. We tried our best and played aggressively. Kendall also was taking a lot of shots.”

In the junior varsity contest, Beecher edged GSW, 32-29, with Sam Wilson making the game-winning basket. For Beecher, Molly Vladika had 15 points, while Alexa Gliva finished with four.