Senior Night Ends in Heartbreak as Bethel Slips Past Panthers, 49–47

Ariah Meng – 17 points (2 three-pointers)

Tuesday night was meant to be a celebration inside the Bonney Lake gym.

The Panthers entered Senior Night tied for second place at 5–2, hosting a Bethel Bison team also sitting at 5–2, though in fourth place. The last time these two teams met, Bonney Lake walked away with a convincing 63–30 win. This time, the margin was razor thin, and the ending was cruel.

Before tipoff, the Panthers honored their three seniors:

Bella Fulton, Elizabeth Wiley-Olive, and Makensie Cook, a trio that has helped shape the identity of this program.

Then the game tipped, and it quickly turned into a battle.

Izzy Meki – 13 points (3 three-pointers)

Fast Start, Tight First Quarter

Bonney Lake opened the night with confidence. Izzy Meki knocked down a three from the top of the arc, and Azy Jackson followed moments later with one from nearly the same spot.

Bethel responded with disciplined defense, keeping the Panthers from pulling away early. The score was tied at 6–6, but Jackson’s presence in the paint made a difference, turning away drives and controlling the boards.

Bonney Lake held a slim 11–8 lead at the end of the first.

Second Quarter: Momentum Shifts

The second quarter belonged to Ariah Meng.

Meng caught fire, draining back-to-back threes and quickly becoming the Panthers’ offensive spark. She would finish the night as the game’s leading scorer with 17 points.

But momentum swung when Jackson picked up early foul trouble, forcing her to the bench midway through the quarter. Without her rebounding presence, Bethel found openings and edged ahead.

At halftime, the Panthers trailed 20–17.

Azy Jackson – 8 points (1 three-pointer)

Third Quarter: Back-and-Forth Battle

Jackson returned to start the third and immediately impacted the game on the boards. But just as quickly, another foul sent her back to the bench with five minutes remaining.

With the paint less protected, Bethel took advantage. Still, Bonney Lake stayed composed. Meng continued her strong night, and Selena Meki delivered a clutch three late in the quarter to give the Panthers a 31–29 lead heading into the fourth.

Fourth Quarter: A Tough Finish on Senior Night

The final quarter was everything Senior Night tends to be, emotional, physical, and tense.

Both teams traded baskets and defensive stops. Meng tied the game at 37, and Izzy responded with two huge threes, capping her 13-point night and keeping the Panthers alive.

With 1:25 remaining, Bethel tied the score at 47–47, sending the gym into a frenzy.

But with nine seconds left, Bethel attacked the rim and drew a driving foul. The Bison calmly knocked down both free throws, taking a 49–47 lead.

Bonney Lake couldn’t find an answer in the final seconds.

Final score: Bethel 49, Bonney Lake 47.

Bonney Lake Box Score

• Ariah Meng – 17 points (2 three-pointers)

• Izzy Meki – 13 points (3 three-pointers)

• Azy Jackson – 8 points (1 three-pointer)

• Nakiah Barrett – 4 points

• Selena Meki – 3 points (1 three-pointer)

• Elizabeth Wiley-Olive – 2 points

What’s Next

Tuesday marked the final home game of the season for the Panthers. Bonney Lake now heads on the road for its next two matchups, starting Thursday at Spanaway Lake.

Senior Night didn’t end the way the Panthers hoped, but the fight shown until the final buzzer spoke volumes about this group.