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Powers performance not enough for Steamboat boys

Joel Reichenberger
Robi Powers rises up for a shot Saturday against Palmer Ridge in the last game of the Steamboat Shoot-Out. Powers had a big game, but the Sailors couldn't pull out a win.
Joel Reichenberger

— It feels like floating, Robi Powers said.

Powers caught fire Saturday during the finale of the Steamboat Shoot-Out, and while he put on a show that wowed the crowd, the Sailors weren’t able to drift past Palmer Ridge in their final game of the tournament.

The Bears won, finishing a 3-0 run through their Shoot-Out schedule, 53-47.



It didn’t have Steamboat down afterward.

“We were extremely happy with that,” Powers said. “That’s a good team. We need to bring that confidence to our league play because none of the teams in our league are as good as the teams we played here. We really have to transfer this into our league and be confident.”



Powers scored 24 points, including 19 of his team’s 24 in the first half. Thanks largely to his dead-eye aim, Steamboat built a big lead in the first two quarters.

He was a one-man wrecking crew early, sinking five 3-point shots in the first half. He scored 14 of 16 points for the team at one point and that basket he didn’t provide, a layup from Austin Kerbs, Powers provided the assist.

“It felt like I was floating,” Powers said. “The team was just setting really, really good screens for me, so they got me all my open shots. They got it to me right where I needed it to shoot, and it felt really good.”

That surge helped Steamboat to a fat lead, 20-11 at the end of the first quarter, though it dwindled to 24-22 at half.

Leading the charge for the Bears was senior Matt Cameron, who shone even brighter than Powers. He finished with 35 points. He had 17 in the first half to keep his team in it, then played a big role in helping Palmer Ridge catch up and pull away.

His back-to-back 3-pointers to open the second half put his squad in front for good.

Steamboat trailed by as many as 10 in the second half. It cut into that with a spirited comeback. Powers and Brody King both hit 3-pointers, and Mitch McCannon laid down two great moves under the basket, scoring and drawing fouls on both opportunities. He made both free throws, too, the second pulling the Sailors within one, 48-47, with 2 minutes, 14 seconds remaining.

That was as close as Steamboat got as Palmer Ridge closed the door with strong free throw shooting.

Steamboat, 3-3, is back in action at home Wednesday against Rifle.


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