If you weren’t in the Bonney Lake gym Tuesday night, you missed another electric showing from the Panthers. With a 2-1 league record, the Bonney Lake Panthers entered the night looking to solidify their position near the top of the SPSL standings. They did just that, holding off the Graham-Kapowsin Eagles 68-61 in a game that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
The Panthers came out looking for rhythm, and after a slow start, sophomore Cole Seminara lit the spark with a deep three-pointer that sent a jolt through the gym. Senior Jamian Lewis, who was the night’s standout scorer, followed with a three of his own to help Bonney Lake find its footing. But the Eagles didn’t back down, keeping pace through a defensive first quarter that ended knotted at 14.
In the second quarter, the Panthers found their groove. Lewis took over, scoring at will with a mix of inside drives and perimeter shots, racking up 18 points by halftime. Eli Davis and Cooper Hartley controlled the boards, ensuring the Panthers had second-chance opportunities while limiting the Eagles’ offensive rebounds. By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, Bonney Lake had built an imposing 40-18 lead.
The Eagles weren’t going quietly, though. They opened the second half with a newfound intensity, playing aggressively on both ends of the court. Even as they chipped away at the lead, the Panthers held their ground. Hartley, a force in the paint, snagged rebound after rebound and added to his point tally, keeping the Panthers comfortably ahead 57-37 at the end of the third.
But the fourth quarter brought drama. Fueled by relentless energy, Graham-Kapowsin staged a furious comeback, cutting what was once a 22-point deficit to just eight with under a minute to play. Yet, the Panthers refused to buckle. Key defensive stops and clutch free throws in the final moments sealed the deal, giving Bonney Lake their third league win and keeping them firmly in second place in the standings.
Lewis led all scorers with 24 points, while Hartley recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Davis added 14 points and 8 rebounds, and both Isaiah Chavez and Seminara chipped in with six points apiece.
The Panthers now turn their attention to South Kitsap, where they’ll face the Wolves on Friday, December 20th. Fans should circle their next home game on January 9th, when the Panthers will host Puyallup in another SPSL showdown.
Stat Line:
Jamian Lewis: 24 points
Cooper Hartley: 18 points, 11 rebounds
Eli Davis: 14 points, 8 rebounds
Isaiah Chavez: 6 points
Cole Seminara: 6 points
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