The Wenatchee High School boys basketball team defeated the Eastmont Wildcats 60-48 Feb. 7, moving them up to second place behind Davis in the Big Nine league standings.

The Panthers, after a holding a significant lead for the first half of the game, fell to Davis on Jan. 25.

“We had a 12-point lead but we just didn’t finish. They [Davis] outscored us,” WHS Coach Ron Stone said. “We had a lot of missed shots and [committed several] turnovers.”

Stone also mentioned that Davis, “got hot” in the fourth quarter. “We came into the fourth quarter with a six-point lead… They have about three really good shooters who just got hot at the right time.” Stone explained how the shooters were hitting three-pointers from far outside the three-point line, which was the reason for the late surge by Davis.

The Panthers are currently 9-4. The two leading scorers are senior Dillon Sugg and sophomore Gavin Long. Junior Chase Resch has also been lead scorer in the past three games, one of which was his 16-point showing against Eastmont.

The return of Stone, according to Sugg and freshman Tony Esquivel, hasn’t affected how the team has been playing.

“It [Stone’s return] has been tough but I don’t think it had an effect on our playing. I mean it shouldn’t,” Sugg said.

“It [the season] is back to the same routine. We need to just keep on executing,” Esquivel said.

But all in all, Stone believes the Panthers are playing well as a team. Stone believes junior Trey Adams has consistently been improving. “It’s hard to name just one. Different games different people do really well,” Stone said.

According to Stone, Long does a great job. Long had 12 points during the Davis game.

Stone is hoping the Panthers can finish in the top two in the league due to the fact that if you finish in the top two you get to play your first-round District game at home and the team that wins will have a guaranteed ticket to State.

The team is currently in second place, due to its win against Eastmont, moving the Wildcats back down to third place.

For the Panthers to get into first place they will need to first beat Eisenhower and Davis. “The bracket is always a key to doing well at State; we will see who we get matched up with,” Stone said.