The Pana Panthers's recent rough patch got a bit rougher on Friday after their 11th straight loss. They received a tough blow as they fell 56-39 to Mt. Pulaski. While losing is never fun, Pana can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Illinois basketball rankings (they are ranked 528th, while Mt. Pulaski is ranked 235th).
Pana lost despite a true team effort on the offense, the best among them being Ryleigh Casner, who scored ten points. Casner also grabbed two steals for the first time this season. Joey Laker was another key contributor, scoring eight points along with three steals.
Pana has fallen quite a ways from their 24-10 record last season and are now at 2-16. As for Mt. Pulaski, the win was the fourth in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 12-5.
Both teams are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Pana will get a bit of extra time to process the loss as their next game is a ways off. They'll take on Southwestern at 6:00 p.m. on January 4, 2024. Mt. Pulaski will have some time to savor their victory since their next game is a little ways off: they'll take on Athens at 6:00 p.m. on January 4, 2024.
