HEM feels weather woes

Northern Carbon County has seen a lot of snow this season, but what has really effected the towns in the area are the constant road closures due to heavy winds along with the winter conditions.

Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School sports teams have been feeling the effects of road closures by having to cancel events and practices because students from Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow and nearby ranches have to get home while they can.

“I think it is hard for many to understand the frustration we are all feeling because of the weather,” HEM Head Girls Basketball Coach Jackie Jones said. “It feels as though we are caught in a frozen abyss that won’t release us.”

HEM Boys Head Basketball Coach Cliff Jones agreed with Jackie.

“We have been hit pretty hard by the weather this season,” Cliff said. “Its difficult for people not in this area to realize how much of a winter we have had.”

The teams could not get to Lingle this weekend for a game on Saturday because of road closures on US 30 and I-80.

Both coaches said it was difficult for the players.

“It has been a little discouraging for the kids but we can’t control the weather, so we have to take it as it is, and we have to be ready to play when we get the opportunity,” Cliff said.

“Looking at webcams we see blue skies and dry roads where we need to be, but then we look out our window and see snow, blowing snow, and ice covered roads,” Jackie said. “It is having a huge impact on our basketball season, and I can’t thank my girls enough for showing patience and understanding for the tough situations we have seen.”

Both noted the cancelations were making the season difficult.

“We have had to cancel a few games already this season and may have to cancel a few more,” Cliff said.

“We will come up several games short of a full season which means we miss out on the opportunity to score points in our conference point system,” Jackie said. “It is a huge disadvantage but, again, we are trying to make the best out of a bad experience.”

The coaches pointed out that not only are games being missed, but so are the vital practices with all the players on the team.

“We are able to practice with our in-town kids when the roads close, but not our out-of-town kids and, for boys basketball, that is nearly half of the team,” Cliff pointed out.

“Aside from cancelling games, we have missed practice time, school time, and even rescheduled team pictures multiple times,” Jackie said.

Both coaches are hoping there will be a break in the weeks to come.

“We are hoping for a busy last week before regionals,” Jackie said. “We are prepared to take it one day, one storm, at a time.”

The next scheduled game is at 4:30 p.m. on February 20 against Encampment at HEM.