Bulldogs stop Powell to wrap up 20-2 regular season

The Lovell Bulldogs ended the 2024-25 regular season Thursday night the same way they began it – with a win. In between were 18 other wins, leaving the Bulldogs with a record of 20-2 heading into postseason tournaments.

Thursday’s game was the third game of the season against the Powell Panthers, the first in the friendly confines of Johnny Winterholler Gym, and the Bulldogs gradually pulled away from a game Panther squad to win, 66-45.

Powell led once in the game, on a pre-game free throw from a technical foul called when referees witnessed a dunk during warmups.

Once the opening tipoff took place, the Bulldogs took a quick 6-1 lead on an inside bucket by Davin Crosby, fast-break basket by Matthew Newman on a pass from Jace Nicholls and another fast-break bucket by Newman after a steal by Kaeson Anderson.

Powell hung tough and shot the ball much better than in the previous two Lovell blowout wins, and three-pointers by Nathan Preator and Dawson Griffin helped the Panthers stay close, with Lovell leading 17-14 at the quarter break after a strong drive by Nicholls.

“I thought they shot better this time and felt they came out and played like they had nothing to lose,” Lovell coach Shane Durtsche said. “Some of that is on us. On certain possessions we didn’t put enough pressure on, but give credit to Powell. They did play better and shoot better.”

The Bulldogs heated up in the second quarter. Junior center Owen Walker powered home a follow shot and a three-point play to put Lovell up 22-14, and after a Taeson Schultz trey for Powell, a zip pass from Anderson to Nicholls launched a 13-3 run that put the home team up 35-20 at halftime.

“We talked about getting more ball pressure and turned up the heat,” Durtsche said. “We stepped into passing lanes and got some steals.”

Two treys by Griffin helped Powell outscore Lovell 13-9 in the third quarter and cut the deficit to 11 points, 44-33, however the Bulldogs reasserted control of the game over the first four minutes of the fourth quarter, outscoring Powell 12-4 to lead 56-37. The Bulldogs went on to win 66-45.

“We took pretty good care of the ball (nine turnovers), and we beat ‘em up on the boards pretty good (31-21),” Durtsche said. “We had 22 assists, and we handled the ball well, made pretty good decisions and were fairly efficient. Powell is a steady team and is playing better. They played their best basketball of the three games, and a lot of that is on them.

“We slapped a trapping press on them to start the fourth quarter, and we hurt them with that.”

Walker scored 17 points on seven-of-nine shooting from the field, and Anderson added 15, Newman 14, Nicholls 11, Crosby 7 and James Blau 2. Walker tallied 10 rebounds for a double-double, and Nicholls dished for eight assists, Anderson six. Newman led with four steals.

Regional tournament

The Bulldogs are the top seed heading into the 3A West Regional Tournament in Lander this weekend under the new 1-through-8 seeding format. As such, the Bulldogs will meet eighth seed Lyman at 2:30 p.m. today (Thursday), having just defeated the Eagles 63-22 on February 21 at home.

“We just saw them two weeks ago, but it’s tournament time, and you’ve got to come ready to play,” Durtsche said. “There are no gimmees. They have a good little point guard and have good size and good athletes.”

A win over Lyman would advance the Bulldogs into a state qualifying semifinal game against either Worland or Powell Friday at 6:30 p.m.

“Something tells me Powell will get Worland this time (after two conference losses to the Warriors),” Durtsche said. “Powell is playing pretty well. I like our side of the bracket. We avoid Lander on their home court.”

If the Bulldogs win two, they will play in the championship game at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

“I feel good,” Durtsche said. “You always have some concern and hope the kids will show up and play well, but I feel we will. We peaked at tournament time the last two years, and I believe we are again. I’m confident we’ll play well this weekend.”