Coach Stuart Vance, Rock Hills, congratulates opponent Dayton Reeves after the close of the game on Friday at the NPL tournament in Lincoln, Kan.
Eli Vance, Rock Hills, maneuvers the ball against Pike Valley in NPL tournament play in Lincoln, Kansas, Friday.
The Pike Valley Panthers won over Rock Hills 45-44, marking the third straight loss for the Grizzlies. The leading score changed from team to team as they battled to win in a PTL Tournament played at Lincoln Friday evening.
The two teams had met in December and the Rock Hills Grizzlies won 67-55 after staving off Pike Valley's persistent comeback attempts.
This week, Pike Valley's, 6 foot 3 inch Andrew Cooper, lead the Panther charge with 17 points, and 9 rebounds.
Before the game, Rock Hills Coach Stuart Vance said, "We have to match their intensity."
Throughout the game both sides exhibited never-say-die mentality.
The two teams are similar in many ways. Both now have a record of 5 wins, 8 losses. Both are intensely physical teams. They go for high daring layups, and aggressively go for rebounds, scoring opportunistically with steals and tips.
Eli Whelchel was a bright spot for the Grizzlies, scoring 12 points, with pulling in 9 rebounds. He displayed great second effort whenever teammates missed shots, grabbing several offensive rebounds. He was confident, strong and quick when attempting a lay up.
"It was a tough loss!" Coach Vance said.
Both teams employ their own brand of toughness tempered with fairness. The two teams seem to have remarkable respect for each other.
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