Lady Rattlers take rough road to State

The Little Snake River Valley (LSRV) Lady Rattlers chased their place at the State tournament which takes place next weekend. The team raced north to Lander on Monday, hoping to avoid the storm in the forecast. The Rattlers arrived in Lander on Monday, but didn't face a team until Thursday.

Gillies said, "We tried not to stay in the hotel very much, but it was hard on us as I am sure it was on all the teams who came early." The Rattlers faced Burlington's Lady Huskies on Thursday, Friday saw them on the wood with Dubois Lady Pronghorns, Saturday was Riverside's Lady Rebels and Encampment's Lady Tigers were on the court.

Lady Rattlers vs. Burlington Lady Huskies

The Huskies were a number one seed team and their skill took the lead, beating the Rattlers 57-48. Gillies said, "We actually played pretty well, and had the lead for a little while, but we did a few things that cost us."

Lady Rattlers vs. Dubois Lady Rams

The Rams succumbed to the Rattlers attack on Friday. Gillies said, "They played a game I always knew they could and they played really good basketball. We were six for thirteen from the three point line and shot 45 percent just normal field goals." This hard fought game ended with the Rattlers stacking up 60 points to the Rams 49.

Lady Rattlers vs. Riverside Lady Rebels

The next challenger standing between the Rattlers and State was the Rebels. The Rebels nearly overtook the Rattlers, but the game went into overtime and the Rattlers took the win. "The game was so emotional because we had the lead through almost the whole game and then they took it in the fourth quarter, "Gillies said. "We got it back and with seven seconds left, we had a one point lead and they went to their best player. We knew she was going to drive and we fouled her half court. She made the first shot and I thought this is not how I want to go out, then missed the second shot. We went into overtime and played a great defense and came out with the win." The Rattlers took the game in overtime, 44-40.

Lady Rattlers vs. Encampment Lady Tigers

The last team standing between the Rattlers and what seed they would be in State was the Lady Tigers. Gillies said, "Encampment had their overtime game against Saratoga and they were probably emotional too. I will say we executed really well in that game. We took care of the ball and didn't rush things. The last few games, we cut our turnovers in half in what we had been averaging all year. We took good shots when we should." The Rattlers whooped the Tigers 39 to 20.

On to State

Gillies said, "Going to State with a three game winning streak is a fun way to go. We have confidence and we will need it." The Rattlers will face Upton on Thursday, at the 2022-2023 WHSAA State 1A/2A Girls Basketball Championships in Casper.

Gillies wanted to thank the superintendent of Carbon County School District 1, Mike Hamel, and the school board, as well as LSRV's principal Joe Thomas. "I really have to thank them for getting us there and making sure the kids were safe,"Gillies said. "I know it was a hard decision to send us up on Monday, but it was the right one. If they hadn't done that, we probably wouldn't have made the tournament and would not be going to State."

“If we show up with the team we were in the last three games, I think we have a shot against anybody," Gillies concluded.