Lady Miners give valiant effort at Regionals

In a season that has been pummeled with bad weather causing missed games and practices, the Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School girls basketball team put forth much effort at regionals in Douglas.

The Lady Miners were the No. 3 seed in the Southeast 1A conference in their first game on February 27, they faced the No. 2 seed in the Northeast 1A.

“We lost our first game by a narrow margin to Kaycee,” HEM Girls Basketball Head Coach Jackie Jones said. “They would eventually become the regional champs.”

On the morning of February 28, the Lady Miners destroyed Hulett 51-25.

“Our game against Hulett was textbook HEM with lots of hustle, defense and true grit,” Jones said.

On February 29 at 9 a.m. their next opponent was a team they had faced just days before. It was the No.2 seed of the Southeast, Lingle-Ft. Laramie.

“On Saturday we faced a Lingle team who had defeated us just days before,” Jones said. “We came out swinging, and again showed amazing determination as we closed a late 15 point deficit down to 6 points at the final buzzer.”

The score was 35-41.

“The locker room is never a fun place to be when you come up short on your goals but the message of using the loss to grow and learn was well received by the girls,” Jones said. “The Lady Miners season came to a close at the regional tournament in Douglas this weekend, but it wasn’t without our signature fight.”

Jones said the team will be back next year.

“Our season was a great one, and with zero graduation losses, the girls will come back and be strong once again,” Jones said. “I have never doubted the heart of these young ladies, and I know the regional finish will be a catalyst for off-season workouts and improvement.”