Photo by Kerry Jacobsen
By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The No. 2 seed Panorama Panthers (24-1) hit the hardwood today against the No. 3 seed Westwood Rebels (22-0) in the IGHSAU 2A state basketball tournament with a chance to play for a state title. Tip-off is at 11:45 a.m. at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
If the Panthers win, they’ll play in the state championship tomorrow, March 2 at Wells Fargo Arena, against the winner of No. 1 seed Dike-New Hartford (24-2) and No. 4 seed Sioux Central (23-1) at 4:45 p.m.
To watch from home, check out the IGHSAU livestream HERE.
The IGHSAU social media accounts will be posting updates of the final scores on X and Facebook, as well as Bound Iowa, which is posting live updates on its X account.
Westwood is two games away from a perfect season with Panorama standing in its way. The team has done so with similar team statistics and almost identical point differential totals. Westwood sits at 29.9 and Panorama at 29.6.
This game could turn into a shootout, as both teams are ranked inside the top 10 in 2A points per game. Panorama is at 62.2 and Westwood is at 60.9. Both teams are also ranked inside the top three in three-point percentage with Westwood at 33.1% and Panorama at 32.2%.
Despite a quiet performance from Panorama’s leading scoring, Tyme Boettcher, the team won its quarterfinals matchup against Grundy Center by double digits thanks to plenty of offensive production from other playmakers such as Jaidyn Sellers, Morgan Crees and Mia Waddle. If Boettcher and her 19.4 points per game average can make a return against Westwood, it could be a long night for the Rebels.
Players to watch
Panorama:
Tyme Boettcher 19.4 PPG / 7.4 RPG / 3.6 APG
Jaidyn Sellers 14.7 PPG / 8.8 RPG
Mia Waddle 9.6 PPG / 4.4 PPG
Westwood:
Addy Johnson 16.1 PPG / 9.4 RPG / 2.5 APG
Ashlyn Davis 13.5 PPG / 8.4 RPG
Brenna Johnson / 13.7 PPG / 6.0 RPG