Lady Miners notch up two more wins

The Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) Lady Miners played two games this week. Both had the Lady Miners come out on top, but one was much more difficult than the other although the scores were not that different.

On Friday, HEM hosted Rock River. According to HEM Head Coach Jackie Jones, Rock River is a young team, but there is talent. 

"Rock River may be young, but they are scrappy. Look out for them in the future," Jones said. "We knew that coming in."

Still HEM came out on top with Amy Campbell leading her team with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals and 2 assists. Taylar Scott ended with 12 points and 3 steals. Madison Campbell had two three pointers for 6 points and 13 rebounds.

"Madison is the player I know I can move around and play any position on defense. I would trust others to be honest, but Madison communicates with her team in a way, I haven't ever seen many girls do. She is a clutch player," Jones said. "Another quiet player that makes impact is Rainey (Wilson) who did an excellent job passing the ball as Madison got in position to make the threes."

The Lady Miners won against Rock River 46-23.

On Saturday, HEM faced Farson-Eden and the Lady Miners looked like they could lose the game in the early moments of the 4th period. The Lady Miners after being behind a couple times in the first half, looked to be in control when they came back to start the second half and played the 3rd quarter. Both teams were playing good defense but going into the last period, HEM was ahead 24-16.

Then the Lady Pronghorns scored first and for the next few minutes, the Lady Miners had no breaks go their way. The referees were calling Taylor Scott and Amy Campbell for traveling almost like they expected the girls to be going to South Seas. As the ball kept going back to Farson-Eden, the Lady Pronghorns capitalized on their possessions getting within four points with a little less than four minutes to go in the game. The score was 26-22.

"I think a lot of it was us trying to run the ball and we got some penalties that started adding up," Jones said not blaming the referees. "Farson has good shooters and they attack the bucket well."

The Lady Miners were not to be counted out. 

Jones said she told the team, they had to get composed.

"When things get tough, I tell them, they have to slow things down. Defense you go as hard as you can, offense you have to get composed," Jones said. "Things changed when the Scott girls (Taylar and Avery) got some steals and finished their layups and then Maddie's (Campbell) back to back three's, and then Hannah (Christie) scoring inside after that, all went to our benefit."

Jones said in the beginning it was a defensive battle.

"In the beginning our shooting percentage was way down," Jones said. "So I kept telling the girls, that this game was going to change, once they started making their shots. And that is what happened. We had 12 points in the first half and in the 3rd quarter, we did 12 points alone."

Jones said the 3rd quarter the girls scored 12 to Farson's 5 points. 

She said A. Campbell got in foul trouble early and Jones was happy how other players stepped up as she had A. Campbell on the bench. A. Campbell still ended up being the high scorer with 16 points. M. Campbell had 8 points, 9 rebounds and 6 steals. T. Scott had 8 points, 5 steals and 3 rebounds. 

"Hannah coming off the bench had 6 rebounds and a key 2 point shot inside that I believe truly deflated Farson's sails," Jones said. "Avery continues to be phenomenal with her play. I don't think anyone would know she is a freshman."

So although, the Lady Pronghorns looked like they might take the game away in the 4th quarter, key steals, three-point shooting and an incredible shot inside, stopped the run by Farson-Eden. Once the buzzer sounded, the score was in favor of HEM 39-25. 

It was not just her starting players Jones was happy with. Adrienne Broadwater and T'lyssa Solaas's time on the court the past two games also had praise from Jones.

"They both give it their all and the hard work they put into a game shows," Jones said. 

The next game will be on January 22 at home against Dubois.