Preseason continues for local high school sports, and the Gold Beach Lady Panthers were the opening act as their Hwy. 101 rival Del Norte Lady Warriors made the trip north to take on the Lady Panthers.
Losing 5 seniors from their roster as the 2022/23 season gets underway, the Lady Panthers have struggled to find identity so far this season, and a visit from a powerful Del Norte Lady Warrior team was yet another tough challenge Tuesday.
The Lady Warriors attacked early with smothering defense forcing the Lady Panthers out of their gameplan early. But Gold Beach fought to keep pace after Del Norte put 21 points on the board in the first period. Senior Gabby Perez, #5 led the way for the Lady Panthers in the first, hitting two 3 pointers helping Gold Beach to 14 points to end the first period, 14-21, Del Norte.
Going into the second period leading the Lady Panthers by 7, Del Norte turned up the defense, trapping ball handlers and applying defensive pressure the length of the court, effectively slowing Gold Beach scoring as the Lady Warriors ran on turn-overs adding 26 points in the second period to take a comfortable 16-47 lead into the locker room at the half.
With nothing to lose coming out in the third period, the Lady Panthers turned the tables, applying pressure as Del Norte worked the ball up the court and running off of Lady Warrior mistakes. Again senior, Gabby Perez, #5, led the way for the Lady Panthers, hitting another 3 pointer and a free throw for 4 of the Lady Panthers 9 points in the period, as the Gold Beach defense held the Lady Warriors to just 10 points in the period.
Still maintaining a comfortable lead in the fourth period, the Lady Warriors went on to add 14 more points in the final period to take home the 25-77 win.
The Lady Panthers will be on the road to challenge the Myrtle Point Lady Bobcats in their final pre-season match-up, Friday evening at 6:00pm.
