Going out with a roar

The 2019/2020 season has been one of learning for the Encampment Lady Tigers. While they have spent the winter in pursuit of a conference win to try and secure a spot in the regional tournament, the major goal has been to provide the younger players on the team with experience to continue in the following seasons.

Following two final conference losses the weekend before, the Lady Tigers appear to have decided to end their season with a roar rather than a whimper. With three games in a row this past week, the Encampment girls won two of the three matches as they dealt losses to the Hanna, Elk Mountain and Medicine Bow (HEM) Lady Miners on Thursday and the Rock River Lady Longhorns on Friday before falling to the North Park Lady Wildcats on Saturday.

"The last three games were additional experience that we can give our younger players," said Clint Bromley, head coach for the Lady Tigers. "I thought that they responded well and showed that they can play at this level. I thought that our junior experience showed and they worked hard to get two wins at the end of a disappointing season."

Lady Tigers vs. Lady Miners

Thursday evening, Encampment hit the road for the first of their three games to cap the season as they were hosted by the Lady Miners. With HEM in the grip of Old Man Winter, the Lady Miners have had limited opportunity to practice. Despite the loss they dealt to Encampment earlier in the season in Tiger Nation, the Lady Tigers came into HEM and turned the tables.

Junior Lizzi James led the Lady Tigers with 12 points and 17 rebounds. Freshman Cora Schroeder scored 7 points against the Lady Miners, Maren Baker scored 5 points and Peyton Munroe scored 4 points and had 7 rebounds.

The final score against the Lady Miners was 33-25.

Lady Tigers vs. Lady Longhorns

The following day, Encampment once again traveled along US 30 as they were hosted by the Lady Longhorns. When the Lady Tigers had hosted Rock River at the beginning of January, the Lady Longhorns had escaped Tiger Nation with a 2-point lead. Determined to end their season on a high note, Encampment wouldn't allow that to happen again.

James again led the team, this time with 10 points and 12 rebounds as well as shooting 6 of 7 free throws. Allison Bromley followed with 8 points and Schroeder scored 5 points and had 8 rebounds.

Similar to the score earlier in the season, the Lady Tigers ended the game with a 1-point lead. The final score was 34-33.

Lady Tigers vs. Lady Wildcats

On Saturday, the Lady Tigers headed south for their final game of the season as they were hosted by North Park. When the Lady Wildcats were hosted by Encampment in January, they had left licking their wounds following a 7-point loss from the Lady Tigers. 

This time, however, the Lady Wildcats wouldn't allow Encampment to snag a victory while on the road and North Park would lead the Lady Tigers by double digits when the buzzer sounded.

Schroeder scored 12 points and had 6 rebounds against the Lady Wildcats. That was followed by James with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Munroe scored 6 points and had 5 rebounds. Shiann Finney scored 2 points and had 9 rebounds. A. Bromley scored 3 points and had 7 rebounds.

The final score was 38-57.

With the 2-for-3 weekend, the Lady Tigers end their season going 5-14 and 0-8 in conference play. Encampment will see all their players returning next year as they are either juniors or freshmen this season.

"With everyone coming back, I think any additional experience that you can get is positive," C. Bromley said. "Now we have to get in the gym and get stronger so we can be competitive next year."