Lady Miners split end of regular season

The Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) Lady Miner basketball team went to Guernsey-Sunrise in a conference contest on February 18 and came out on top by a resounding 32 points.

The Lady Miners beat the Guernsey Lady Vikings 53-21.

"We had a great all around game to be quite honest," said Head Coach Jackie Jones. "We had three girls in double figures which hasn't happened for us this season."

Jones had praise for all the girls on the six player squad. She said it was a true team effort and was extremely proud of the girls who hit double figures because the team has struggled recently to get the ball in the basket.

"Avery Scott ended up with 24 points, 11 rebounds and 12 steals and really led the way," Jones said. "Hanna Gonzales shot the ball from the outside well, hitting double figures and it was nice to see Rainey (Wilson) score double figures. Those three girls with their scoring and then to have T'lyssa (Solaas), Sam (Tylka) and MacKenzie play excellent defense, I feel it was an all around good team effort."

Jones tells her girls there are things you can control in the game of basketball and there are things you cannot. She believes effort and wanting to get in on rebounds are things you can control.

"The girls have really bought into the idea of playing tough defense and doing their job on rebounds," Jones observed. "I look at Rainey as the prime example. I would venture to guess she is the smallest post defender in the state of Wyoming. She hauls in rebounds, she actually gets in blocked shots against bigger girls. She has that tenacious attitude on what needs to be done on defense."

Wilson is 5'3''.

"Rainey is a good leader who inspires with her actions," Jones said. "She does a really good job."

The Lady Miners didn't have long before their next contest. The Kaycee Lady Buckaroos came to HEM on February 19.

The Lady Buckaroos came with a team made up of seniors and juniors and considerable size advantage. They took the lead early and didn't let it go as the defense battle raged. The 1st quarter had Kaycee ahead 4-1. At halftime 10-6 with the Lady Buckaroos still ahead. With four minutes left in the 4th quarter the Lady Miners were still trying to get into double digits. The score was Kaycee 22 to HEM 9.

The Lady Miners did finish the game in double figures losing to the Lady Buckaroos 26-11.

"Once again, we had a game where we had trouble getting the ball into the bucket," Jones said. "Saying that, to hold a team like Kaycee to 26 points indicates how strong our defense was. I do think in the 2nd half we took a lot better shots but they just didn't fall. It is our Achilles heel but it doesn't dampen our spirits and we just don't give up."

The Lady Miners will have met the Guernsey Lady Vikings for a pigtail game on February 22. The winner will go to Regionals.