Bonney Lake’s boys basketball team had a hard weekend against the Decatur Gators and Sumner Spartans, losing both but running close, competitive games against each.

Closest of all was the Panthers’ 63-54 loss to the Gators Friday night. Bonney  Lake opened the night with a 20-10 lead in the first quarter. Decatur made up the difference in a 16-6 second quarter, bringing the teams to a 26-26 tie by the half.

The tie remained in effect in the 16-16 third quarter, begging the question, “Who will rally in the fourth?”

The answer was the Gators. Decatur came out on top in a 21-12 fourth quarter, helped along by double-digit scoring by Jason Young, Kevin Locascio and Adam Wilson.

The Panthers’ top scoring player of the night was Derek Lund at 19, followed by Brady Thomas at 13.

Bonney Lake’s Saturday crosstown rivalry game against Sumner — a game that finished with a 65-49 loss — showed a clearer Panther deficit early on, though the team played a strong endgame.

In quarters one, two and three, the Panthers went 4-14, 12-15 and 9-19, respectively. Bonney Lake rallied in a 24-17 fourth quarter, but couldn’t make up the difference.

Lund scored 15 points, the highest of either team; the Spartans’ Keenan Jackson was second with 10 points. However, the Spartans displayed a greater consistency of individual scoring, averaging 6.5 points a player to the Panthers’ 4.45.

The Panthers play Lakes High School tonight on the Lancers’ court.