The Big Playback 2/7 Pt. 1: Redmond’s Horner leads Panthers past No. 1 Caldera; Summit has bounce-back win over Mtn. View

The energy inside the gym was electric as the Redmond Panthers and Caldera Wolfpack clashed in a top-five matchup that lived up to the hype. With a packed house and a roaring Caldera student section, the intensity never wavered in what turned out to be a nail-biting finish.

Redmond took control early, heading into halftime with a 36-31 lead. Caldera faced an uphill battle without key big man Will Jenson, but the Wolfpack fought back behind standout performances from Tomas Nishikawa, Seb Fievet, and Miles Macomber.

Both teams started slow in the third quarter, but junior Wyatt Horner ignited the Panthers with a smooth finish at the rim. Caldera responded with a flurry of plays, including a big three-pointer from Nishikawa to give the Wolfpack a 48-43 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Miles Macomber provided key moments for Caldera, showing resilience by converting an AND1 opportunity and giving the Wolfpack a two-point advantage in the closing minutes.

As the clock wound down, Redmond leaned on its stars. Kaleb Losoya delivered a crucial three-pointer, followed by a tough fadeaway jumper from Horner. With nine seconds left in a tie game, Horner drove inside but missed the game-winner, only to secure his own rebound and draw a foul with 0.5 seconds remaining.

With the pressure on, Horner sank one of two free throws, giving Redmond a 62-61 lead. Macomber’s deep heave at the buzzer fell short, sealing a thrilling road victory for the Panthers.

Standout Performances:

• Wyatt Horner: 26 points, including the game-winning free throw
• Kaleb Losoya: 11 points, clutch shooting down the stretch

With this result, the IMC now finds itself in a three-way tie at the top, setting up an exciting finish to the season. One thing is certain—this battle between Redmond and Caldera was one for the books.

Summit Storm Surge Past Mountain View Cougars in Convincing Win

The action was fierce on the west side, as the Summit Storm hosted the Mountain View Cougars in a pivotal league matchup. Summit entered the contest ranked 8th in the state with a 2-1 league record, while the Cougars, sitting at 17th, were hungry for their second league win.

Summit wasted no time establishing dominance, as Rowan Blossey opened the game with a strong finish inside. Will Manfredi followed suit with an impressive and-one drive, setting the tone early. The Storm's offensive chemistry was on full display, with Ryder Grieb connecting with Kai Scalley for an easy lay-in.

Despite Summit’s hot start, Mountain View found their rhythm behind the sharpshooting of Jace Brewer, who nailed a deep shot from the top of the key. However, Summit’s passing game was elite, leading to a seamless finish by Grieb off an assist-driven possession. The teamwork continued as Foster Kettering found Abe Taylor on an inbound play for another bucket.

Mason Chambers proved elusive on the perimeter, knocking down a deep three-pointer for Mountain View. Taylor continued his strong play, driving to the rack, drawing a foul, and completing the three-point play. Cougars Quinn Goewey spun past defenders for a tough finish at the rim.

Summit’s teamwork was nothing short of immaculate, as Kettering scored off another crisp passing sequence. Blossey missed an attempt, but Taylor was there for the putback and another and-one opportunity, solidifying his standout performance. Brewer kept the Cougars in the game with another three-pointer to close out the first quarter.

Scalley opened the second quarter with a steal and an easy lay-in, followed by a big block on the defensive end. Summit’s passing continued to shine as Grieb capitalized on another beautifully executed sequence. Brewer answered with another smooth jumper, keeping the Cougars within reach.

Manfredi’s quickness and finesse were on full display with a jump-stop finger roll that left defenders trailing. Summit, stacked with facilitators, continued racking up assists, leading to yet another bucket for Grieb. Blossey made his presence felt on the defensive end with a statement block, halting a Cougar attempt.

Mountain View showed resilience, with Brodey Meier threading a bounce pass to Brewer, who continued his stellar night. Kettering responded with a drive and finish of his own, showcasing his ability to score in multiple ways. Brewer drained one final deep three.

Final Score: Summit 66, Mountain View 54

The Cougars fought hard, but Summit’s offensive execution and defensive tenacity secured a decisive victory. With this win, the Storm continue to assert themselves as a top contender in league play.