As the calendar turns to February, high school hoops teams aren’t spending countless hours in the gym focused strictly on fundamentals and team chemistry. By this point in the season, those aspects are baked in to the DNA of the teams vying for big postseason aspirations.

Include the Panthers girls basketball team among those who have found the successful formula.

A dynamic M-CHS squad pushed three state powers to the limit in tough road losses within the Intermountain League over the past couple weeks, before flexing their skill set in a 57-27 demolition of Bayfield. Now, the Panthers turn their focus on returning to “The Jungle” with the hopes of reversing some of those scorelines with a home crowd in their corner.

It’s an offense under fifth-year head coach Brad Wright where every player who steps to the floor has the confidence to shoot, and a cold spell in the half-court doesn’t necessarily spell doom for the Panthers. Their transition game and court vision have increased scoring efficiency – the Panthers are scoring nearly 15 points more per contest than a year ago – while their decision-making allows M-CHS to play games at their tempo.

Their outing against Bayfield showcased both the court vision and veteran savvy, highlighted by senior Kayce Tom, who was being double-teamed, sliding a no-look pocket pass to classmate Markylla Jones for a wide-open layup in the game’s opening minutes.

“We work really well together – and we’ve played together for a long time, through summer ball and all the tournaments,” said senior Savannah Haselroth of the team’s ability to show resiliency on the court and put their three-game losing streak behind them, “and it’s also because we’re really close as a team this year.”

M-CHS built an 8-0 lead, and all five starters scored in a dominant opening quarter, with the visitors up 15-4. The Panthers moved well off the ball, opening up several back door buckets in the first half – as the Panthers pulled away with a 26-9 halftime lead.

Then, when the Panthers (6-6, 2-3 4A/3A IML) found their half-court offense in a bit of a funk, M-CHS turned up pressure on defense, collecting perimeter steals that led to high-percentage chances at the other end. Eight players scored, led by Haselroth’s 18 points, many of which came as a direct result of pilfered Wolverine passes.

“I feel so much more confident this year,” commented Haselroth of her team-leading scoring average and ability to shoot from the perimeter and off the dribble, “I’m not in my head as much as I’ve been in past years.”

Bayfield (3-10, 0-6 4A/3A IML) tallied half their points at the free throw line, an indication of the Wolverine’s intent to be more aggressive than in past seasons, with junior Renae Foutz leading Bayfield with eight points.

Jones dominated on the glass, approaching a double-double with her 12-point afternoon, while junior Taylor Whited snagged a bundle of steals on her way to nine points. Sophomore Sariah Jackson added seven points, junior Kalea Ogo scored four, and Tom, senior India Wright, and freshman Milah Begay had a field goal apiece.

“Markylla’s a beast on rebounding,” added Haselroth, “we can always trust that she’s going to be able to take over in the paint.”

Importantly for restoring confidence, the victory snapped a three-game skid, and allows the Panthers to hone their focus on a five-game stretch that will significantly weigh in on their postseason future. Four of the five games will be played at home, beginning with league rematches of close losses to Alamosa (Feb. 2) and Centauri (Feb. 3) – followed by a road trip to Dove Creek (Feb. 7), then two more home IML contests against Ignacio (Feb. 9) and Pagosa Springs (Feb. 10) – their final home game of the regular season.

The Panthers meeting with Alamosa this Friday night will be broadcast on local radio station 98.7 FM KRTZ, and will also be available on krtzradio.com, with tipoff slated for 5:30 p.m.