Pinnacle Canyon Academy played their final game of the season on Tuesday night, falling just short of making the play-offs with a 58-54 loss to Telos.
The game was played in Richfield at the Sevier Center arena. It was a tight contest all night with the teams staying close. But for the Panthers, the free throw line was not their friend. The team went 7-21 at the foul stripe. After a slow start in the first half of play, the team bounced back and were within one point with nine seconds left to play.
Levi Rutherford ended with 18 points on the night including four threes on the night. Cody Dean Sanchez contributed 16 points in the Panther’s offensive effort.
“We had a chance to win. the kids played hard, but we struggled with energy early. ” said Coach Cameron Gardner. He agreed that if they had hit even a few more free throws, they would have taken the game. He is not disappointed with the effort, but already looking ahead to next season.
“I reminded the boys that next season starts tomorrow.”
The team looses much of their starting five to graduation this year, but Gardner says there is a good core of returning varsity to build on for next season.