The Bonney Lake boys basketball team lost to the Lakes Lancers 62-56 on Friday, Jan. 17.

The Panthers are 0-4 in conference play and 0-14 overall.

But don’t let its record deceive you, coach Brian Kovacevich said the Panthers are “focusing on one game at a time.”

He added, they are getting better and improving at the little things, such as bringing down the number of turnovers, holding opponents to fewer rebounds and increasing their number of rebounds.

When the season started, not a lot of the players had experience playing varsity, Kovacevich said. But now they do and he said, “collectively the team is doing a good job competing.”

Kovacevich said some players are stepping up and finding ways to get shots.

Junior JC Herd, Kovacevich said, has been stepping up for the Panthers. Herd scored a team high two games ago with 26 points against Decatur and 22 points Friday against Lakes.

He added, everyone contributes on the team even if they don’t score, they help defensively.

Kovacevich said a tough schedule, playing 4A schools, has helped the Panthers get ready for league play.

He said the Panthers are still working on how to close out and finish games.

He wants the Panthers to compete, no matter what the score is.

“We focus on the next game and learn from the opportunities from the previous games and move on,” he said.

The team and coaches, Kovacevich said, get frustrated, especially after losing close games. But he added, the players don’t let it affect them for too long.

“They are impressive and resilient and are really good about (not letting it get to them),” he said. “They keep their heads down and keep going. We have the competing part down, it’s just about finishing now.”

The Panthers traveled to Enumclaw Tuesday to play the Hornets. The game was not played at the time of press. For scores and recaps, visit the Courier-Herald’s website, blscourierherald.com.

Bonney Lake hosts the Peninsula Seahawks at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24.