Panthers corral Cougars in opener
By Rex Overholser Contributing sportswriter

Carroll's Lady Cougars started the 2006-07 season with a loss. The Western Panthers came to Memorial Gym Nov. 14 with an 0-2 record. They left with teethmarks in the Cougars as they completely dominated the game with sharp shooting and physical play.

Crystal Campbell (14) and Liz Hoppes (13) led the Panthers to a 64-28 victory that was over quickly in the first quarter. Carroll came out nervous and Western came out mad - they were not going to be denied. The highlight for the Cougars was scoring 8 points off of set plays on out-of-bounds entry passes. Carroll was led by Krystal Brazel and Hanna Peden with 7 points.

Carroll JV lost, too, to the Panthers as Lucia Zook scored 6 and Amber Hughes, 5, to the bigger and more physical Western team.

Vs. Sheridan On Monday night at CHS, Carroll played the upstart Sheridan Blackhawks, who came into the game 1-1 with an improving team. The Blackhawks were bigger and more physical with Taylor Nielsen doing just about anything she wanted to do in the paint with strong play. But she fouled out early in the fourth quarter and that was the end of Sheridan. The Cougars scored the most points in several years and won the hard fought battle, 60-51. The Cougars were balanced in their attack with Krystal Brazel (19), Ashley Miller (12) and Hanna Peden hitting 8 of 10 free throws in critical times in the final quarter to help put the game away.

The contest was exciting to watch as all 10 players contributed solidly and gave a well played effort to lead the Cougars to their first victory.

The Lady Cougars were led by Jaime McCarter's 3 assists, and 27 rebounds with Miller (7), Brown (4), Overholser (4) and McCarter (4) pounding the boards. Carroll hit 4 of 5 3- pointers with Brazel (3) and Brooke Yoder (1) helping the team. The Cougars hit 38% from 2-point range and hit 80% of their free throws to help ice this game.

The JV won their first game with solid play by all in an overtime game at 33-26. Zook scored 9 and Amber Hughes, 8, to help the JV to a 1-1 record as well.

The Cougars host Delphi tonight, Wednesday, at 6 p.m. at Memorial Gym.