Boys basketball: Panthers beat slow-starting Outlaws

Published 12:30 am Tuesday, December 26, 2023

ENTERPRISE — The Imbler boys basketball team pushed their season record to 7-1 with a 41-31 victory over the 2A Enterprise Outlaws on Wednesday, Dec. 20 in the Enterprise gym.

Fans of the Outlaws had little to cheer for as Enterprise ended the first quarter with only a single basket by Emmett Flynn. Imbler also struggled to find the basket, scoring only nine points.

The Panthers put up 12 points in the second quarter and led the Outlaws 21-9 at the half.

Enterprise outscored Imbler in the second half, 22-20, but could not overcome the first-half scoring drought.

“We played well in the first half, just struggled to score,” said Imbler coach Tony Haddock. “Enterprise got their offense going in the second half and we had to scrap. This was a good test for us.”

Imbler’s Justin Frost put in 16 points to lead all scorers in the game. Jake Bingaman ended his night with 10 points.

For the Outlaws, Flynn had 11 points and was the only Outlaw in double figures.

Enterprise (9-2 overall) will have the opportunity to avenge the loss on Dec. 28 as the two teams meet again at the Eastern Oregon Holiday Crossover at Powder Valley High School.