STUART — Monday's Class 2A District 14 opener here had the makings of a tightly-contested game, as Clarke took a 27-25 lead early in the third quarter on a Carlos Tamayo jumper from the free throw line.
But Panorama responded with a 14-0 run to pull away, eventually scoring a 65-39 win over the Indians, ending the Clarke season.
After Clarke led 11-7 after the first quarter, the tide began to shift in the second quarter, as Panorama began using a fullcourt press that caused Clarke problems.
But a Colin Morris 3-pointer late in the first half sent the game into halftime tied at 23-23.
Morris got a layup to start the third quarter, and after an answer from Panorama, Tamayo hit his jumper.
Shortly after Tamayo's jumper, senior post player Brin Evins picked up his fourth foul.
Panorama went back to it's press defense, which proved to be a challenge for Clarke. The Indians turned the ball over several times trying to break the press, and several times in the halfcourt offense after breaking the press.
"I think we shot ourselves in the foot," Clarke head coach James Larson said. "We knew they weren't great in the halfcourt set. They got most of their points off turnovers. That's how they hurt us. We just kept turning the ball over. We didn't get good possessions."
The Panorama run was capped off by a Kooper Duis baseline jumper and free throw off a foul, making the score 39-29.
The Panther lead reached 46-32 early in the fourth quarter, but the Indians cut the lead back to 10 points thanks to two free throws each from Jared Jamison and Morris.
Panorama answered with a 19-3 run to end the game, however.
"You've got to give them credit," Larson said. "They had an aggressive halfcourt trap out there. It was a good press, something we haven't seen much this year. Give them credit for that. But, our guys know how to break the press. It definitely took our offense out of sync. I don't think we got a good set play in the second half."
Larson said losing Evins for long stretches of the game with foul trouble proved to be a detriment.
"When Brin picked up his third in the first half, he's our best rebounder," he said. "You could tell when he wasn't in there, they were getting some offensive boards and that's how they got going. That absolutely hurt us tonight."
Morris scored a game-high 21 points to lead Clarke. Tamayo added seven and Evins finished with six.
Aaron Klinge scored 20 points to lead Panorama while Dakota Redfern netted 10.
Clarke ends the season with a 2-20 record. Panorama improved to 12-10 for the season and advances to play Van Meter Thursday at Des Moines Christian in the district semifinal.
Monday marked the final game in a Clarke uniform for seniors Jamison, Morris and Evins. Matt Blanchard, who has been out with a concussion and did not suit for Monday's game, is also a senior.
"I've had them for two years," Larson said. "I really appreciate everything they've done for me, especially Colin Morris. I mean, Jared Jamison, Brin, Matt — they're all great kids and did good things, but Colin, he's going to be the one to jumpstart my program. I think people are going to see how good he got this year, and hopefully I have three or four guys come in like he did and see that improvement like he did."
CLARKE (39) — Colin Morris 7 4-7 21, Carlos Tamayo 3 0-0 7, Brin Evins 2 2-3 6, Jared Jamison 0 3-5 3, Troy Morgan 0 2-2 2. Totals — 12 11-17 39. 3-point goals — 4 (Morris 3, Tamayo 1). Team fouls — 20. Fouled out — Jamison, Morris.
Panorama (65) — Aaron Klinge 5 6-6 20, Dakota Redfern 3 3-3 10, Skylar Wasson 4 0-1 9, Gavin Richey 3 0-2 6, Kooper Duis 1 4-5 6, Nathan Block 2 0-0 5, Reid Cobb 2 0-0 5, Luke Webner 0 3-6 3. Totals — 20 17-25 65. 3-point goals — 8 (Klinge 4, Redfern 1, Block 1, Wasson 1, Cobb 1). Team fouls — 19. Fouled out — Webner.