New squad hangs tough vs Laramie

“Playing Laramie sophomores, we honestly never know what to expect,” Jackie Jones, Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) head girls basketball coach said. “The majority of our team being freshman or sophomores, it should be a pretty good matchup.”

On Dec. 15, the Lady Laramie Plainsmen came in strong and got ahead of the Lady Miners early and made it difficult for HEM to come back.

Laramie outlasted the Lady Miners, winning 44-37.

“We got down early against Laramie’s sophomores, but had a great second half of basketball,” Jones said. “We are truly still working to find our go to players on both ends of the court.”

Jones said not only are the freshman figuring out their roles in the early season, but returning players are also learning new roles that seniors held last year.

“Losing four seniors, makes us have a brand new squad this year,” Jones said. “Individuals are starting to emerge, and with that we can work on the overall team aspect and goals.

At Laramie, freshman Amy Campbell had 18 points, 7 rebounds and 7 steals. Freshman Taylor Scott finished with 9 rebounds and 7 steals. Senior Morgan Kenneda had 6 points and 9 rebounds.

The Lady Miners know it is early in the season and though losses don’t feel good, there is growth from learning where improvements need to be made. Jones is sure her team will learn from their mistakes.

The next scheduled game is Jan. 4 in Wheatland against the Wheatland sophomores.