Lady Tigers finding their step

As the Encampment Lady Tigers returned to the court from winter break, they had two games on the road. The Lady Tigers were hosted by the 2A Pine Bluffs Lady Hornets on January 7 and by the Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) Lady Miners on January 8. In both cases, Encampment was dealt a loss.

Lady Tigers vs. Lady Hornets

On Thursday, Encampment headed westward to face the Lady Hornets. While the Lady TIgers would start out in the lead, they would eventually feel the sting of Pine Bluffs and would be dealt their first loss of the weekend.

"We came out in this game and led after one quarter 14 to 11, and then after that we didn't execute our game plan," said Clint Bromley, head coach of the Lady Tigers. "Coming out of the break we were short on numbers and air in our lungs and when you are tired, execution tends to be lacking."

In the following three quarters, the Lady Hornets would buzz ahead of Encampment as they threw double digits on the board. The Lady Tigers, meanwhile, were kept to single digits as they worked to regain their lead from the 1st quarter.

Sophomore Cora Schroeder scored 14 points and had 5 rebounds. Senior Lizzi James scored 6 points against Pine Bluffs and was followed by senior Amber Stubbs with 4 points.

The final score was 29-53.

Lady Tigers vs. Lady Miners

The next day, Encampment headed north as they were hosted by the Lady Miners on Friday. Much like the day before, the Lady Tigers began the 1st quarter of the game with a roar as they led HEM 12-5. As the game progressed, however, that lead would eventually go to the Lady Miners.

"We were able to put together two good quarters of basketball, but just failed to finish both halves. Going into the 4th quarter it was a 2 point game and we didn't get it done," Bromley said. "Cora Schroeder had her best game of the year on both ends of the floor and that is exciting to see, but she needs other people to step up and help her out. We missed six open layups and that was the difference in the game. We only had four girls get into the scorebook and that is not enough to win many basketball games."

Schroeder scored 15 points and had 13 rebounds against the Lady Miners and was followed by James with 10 points and 5 rebounds.

The final score was 29-38.

"Give it to HEM, they have a great senior class and they are going to fight and carry them deep in the east regional," said Bromley.

Following their two losses last week, the Lady Tigers are 3-3 for the season and will be entering conference play this weekend as they host the Saratoga Lady Panthers, who are also 3-3 for the season.

The Encampment Lady Tigers will face the Saratoga Lady Panthers at 4:30 p.m. on January 15 in Encampment.