Tigers defang Rattlers

The Encampment Tigers were forced to play a Monday game following road closures preventing conference rivals the Little Snake River Valley (LSRV) Rattlers from getting to Tiger Nation on Saturday. Despite the rescheduled game, the Tigers came onto their homecourt ready to play and were quick to hit the hardwood.

"I think both teams played pretty hard," said senior Dayne Anderson. "They play hard but we knew they played hard. Both teams played really well I think."

Encampment was quick to throw points on the scoreboard within the first eight minutes of the game. During the 1st quarter, a 3-pointer from Dalton Peterson contributed to the overall 14 points that the Tigers put up against the 7 points from LSRV. Despite the initial shock of Encampment forcing some turnovers, the Rattlers were able to begin working on closing that gap.

While the score was relatively close within the 1st quarter, the 2nd quarter saw the Tigers pull ahead with a significant lead as they put another 24 points on the board. LSRV would only manage another 10 points before going into half-time, making the score at the half 38-17.

The Tigers' lead against LSRV was significant, with nearly 25 points at one point, but the Rattlers wouldn't let up in trying to close the gap with Encampment.

"They play hard defense and I think that we need to get used to that," said Anderson. "Not like we haven't played that before, it's just good to get back in that rhythm. Playing good games, playing good defense."

In the final eight minutes of the game, the Rattlers closed the gap to less than 20 as the buzzer sounded with a final score of 62-46.

Peterson led the team against the Rattlers with a total of 32 points. Senior Reid Schroeder scored 17 points and Anderson scored 10 points.

Following the conference win against the Rattlers, Encampment is 11-0 for the season and 2-0 in conference play. This weekend, the Tigers will play host to two more conference foes with the Farson-Eden Pronghorns and the Cokeville Panthers.

"I think whatever Coach J and Duane are teaching us, they're teaching us right," Anderson said. "We'll be ready."

Encampment will host the Pronghorns at 4 p.m. on January 24 and Cokeville at noon on January 25 at Encampment High School.