Determined to get to State

The Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow High School girls basketball were a part of history for their school this weekend. For the first time ever at HEM, both the boys and girls basketball teams are going to State at the same time.

It was not an easy road for the Lady Miners.

“Our season did end in a crazy fashion with games being canceled for the girls,” Head coach Jackie Jones said. “We always look forward to competing, so it sure put us in a bit of a bind to end the regular season.”

Jones said the team persevered.

“As always, this group of girls adjusted and dedicated themselves in some tough practices heading into regionals,” Jones said. “We knew we were facing a tough opponent in Kaycee our first round.”

Kaycee

The Lady Miners faced the Lady Buckeroos on Thursday and they came out on top 50-47 in a very tight game.

“Kaycee has some good athletes with girls who can score in a hurry,” Jones said. “The game was back and forth the whole way with Madison Campbell hitting a 3-pointer late to help send us to our first overtime.”

She said Kaycee answered with a three point shot to send the game into a second overtime.

Again, the teams went back and forth, but Jones said Amy Campbell kept attacking the basket late which sent her to the free throw line. Jones said the A. Campbell went three of four with those points being the difference in the game.

“It was an emotional win, and the girls earned their way to the semi-finals,” Jones said.

Arvada-Clearmont

The game on Friday did not go so well for the Lady Miners. They lost 41-23.

“From the opening tip we were actually very hesitant and flat,” Jones said. “Our shooting percentage was not so good, but there was nothing wrong with the shot selection.”

Arvada-Clearmont were the eventual champs of the tournament.

Upton

The loss on Friday did not shake the Lady Miners. They faced Upton on Saturday and won 47-29.

“We knew after the game we lost, we needed to regroup quickly for our game against Upton,” Jones said. “Knowing this group of girls, I knew the loss on Friday did not sit well with them. The team came into the state qualifying game with a determined attitude, and showed in the win.”

Jones said Taylor Scott and Rainey Wilson put defensive pressure on the Upton guards the entire game, and it rattled them from buzzer to buzzer.

“Amy had a phenomenal game offensively scoring 28 points,” Jones said.

Kaycee

To get to State the Lady Miners had to face the Lady Buckeroos for a second time on Sunday. They won convincingly 41-30.

“Our third place game against Kaycee was again a total team effort,” Jones said. “Amy, Madison and Rainey led all scorers in this win.”

Going to State

“We are excited to qualify for the State tournament,” Jones said. “It has been four years since the HEM Lady Miners have played basketball in Casper,” Jones said. “Not one of our girls have participated in state basketball. We know the learning curve is big, but this team is all about never giving up, no matter the score or the circumstances. They know they have reached a goal, but they will continue to set new ones as they hit the Event Center floor on Thursday.

The Lady Miners will face St. Stephens on Thursday in Casper.