Lady Miners keep digging

Encampment's Lady Tigers came to Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School to take a win from the Lady Miners on Friday.

Encampment

In the 1st quarter of the game, it looked like they were on the road to do it as the period ended and Encampment was ahead by 7-12. The Lady Tigers continued their winning ways and got ahead 7-15 in the beginning of the 2nd and the Lady Miners looked be struggling to find a way to score. Then Amy Campbell started scoring, assisted by Taylor Scott. Going into half time, HEM was up 20-17.

The Lady Tigers were far from done as the 3rd quarter began. Although HEM scored the first bucket, Encampment answered back with a three-pointer and it was 22-20. Scott hit one from the line, making it 23-20, but in a matter of a minute, the Lady Tigers were ahead again, 23-24. It was see-saw battle as each team took leads from each other.

With a little under three minutes left in the 3rd quarter, Encampment led 25-27. Campbell tied it up going into the 4th quarter. Then HEM's defense poured it on and kept Encampment scoreless for three minutes while the Lady Miners got the score to 31-27. More precious minutes slipped by as the Lady Miners kept the Lady Tigers at 27 while they had their score at 34. With a little less than three minutes left Encampment scored and it was 34-29.

A crucial steal by Hannah Christie in the last few minutes that HEM was able to score sealed Encampment's fate that evening. Christie also passed the ball in heavy traffic that Scott scored on, ending the night at 38-29.

Amy Campbell scored 17 points, her twin sister Madison scored 10 points and Scott scored 7 points.

Head Coach Jackie Jones was happy with how the team pulled itself together.

"We know teams are going to key in on Amy and, any time you play an Encampment basketball team, they are fundamental and methodical in what they do, There is no question we had our work cut out for us this evening," Jones said. "We knew coming into this game we were going to have to play hard against Cora Schroeder and Lizzie James, who is a force at the post. This is a team that knows their roles."

Jones said when HEM was down 7-15, she called a timeout and told the team to just breathe.

"I told them to do what they know how to do," Jones said. "Once Taylar Scott took control at the helm, got the team composed, good things started to happen." 

Jones was proud of Christie, too, who had three steals. Scott had four steals.

"Oh my gosh, Hannah did so much at the right time," Jones said. "All these girls pulled it together when they needed to. We knew this was going to be a good test."

Scott agreed with Jones that Encampment was a good team to play after being off for the holidays.

"I think we did well coming off the break against a good team like Encampment," Scott said. "I feel like once we get into our game, and play our game, then it turns into what we want it to be, instead of what the other team wants it to be."

Scott said the Lady Miner's success isn't due to a couple players, but because of the entire team.

"Everyone is contributing," Scott said. "I am really proud of this team.

Dubois

The Lady Miners were in Dubois the day after defeating Encampment. 

Dubois never had a chance as the Lady Miners jumped ahead. Jones said this gave her the opportunity to sub a lot of players.

"Lots of combinations and lots of girls got playing time," Jones said. "I really wanted to give girls who didn't get to play in the Encampment game an opportunity."

Jones said the player that shined in this game was Avery Scott, a freshman.

"She got 10 rebounds and was our leading rebounder. Avery also got eight steals. She is a go getter on the basketball court," Jones said. "She is really starting to read things and she anticipates so well."

Another freshman Jones was pleased with was Mackenzie Priest.

"Mackenzie had another good game for us," Jones said. "Mackenzie is a worker. That young lady knows there are two parts to the game. There is offense and defense. If she makes a mistake on offense, she works twice as hard on defense to make up for it."

HEM won 44-17.

The next scheduled game is on January 15 against the Rock River Lady Pronghorns at Rock River.