Lady Cats headed to Riverton

The Thermopolis Lady Cats basketball team won both their games on Friday and Saturday.

The girls won against Shoshoni 37-32 at Friday's away game. According to Coach Cory Sova, it was a very physical game, with the girls holding Shoshoni scoreless in the opening quarter.

Shoshoni started to make some shots and get back in the game, especially in the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Lady Cats missed 12 free throws in the fourth quarter but the girls had a big enough lead they were able to hold on.

"Shoshoni hurt us with some strong work rebounding," said Sova. "Their team size really makes it difficult for us."

The Lady Cats moved the ball well and shot well from the perimeter according to Sova.

Jessica Schierkolk scored 12 points, while Haley McDermott made eight. Korey Smith had five points and Ashlynn Weber scored three points along with Makayla George. Lizzy Lofink, Randi Elisson and Melissa Ward all scored two points.

Schierkolk had a strong game with six rebounds. Lofink lead the team with four assists as well as five rebounds and two steals. Elisson added four rebounds and two assists. McDermott grabbed three rebounds with Jules Ward pitching in with two assists and hounded Shoshoni's point guard.

"This was a good conference win on the road for the girls," said Sova.

Continuing to show no mercy, the Lady Cats smashed Riverside 49-26 during Saturday's home game. It was a very emotional game according to Coach Sova, with this being the last home game for the seniors.

Jumping on Riverside hard in the first quarter, the Lady Cats held them at three points for the first two quarters. Coach Sova managed to get 12 girls game time on the court, who all worked hard and helped take the team to victory.

George scored ten points with McDermott scoring eight. Smith had seven points along with Elisson. Melissa Ward scored six points, Schierkolk made five, Weber had four and Jules Ward made two points.

Elisson nearly had a double-double with seven points and 10 rebounds and added two assists. George came in off the bench and played very aggressively, yet under control, and was able to get to the free throw line eight times to lead the team with 10 points. Smith recorded six rebounds to go with her seven points. Melissa Ward shot well and had three rebounds. Schierkolk was solid with the ball and had two assists and two steals. McDermott played well with five rebounds and a team high of three steals. Lofink fought for four defensive rebounds. Janell Harvey was also able to grab a couple of rebounds.

The Lady Bobcats will go into the regional tournament the #3 seed out of the 2A North West as Shoshoni went North to Rocky Mountain and defeated the Lady Griz making them the #2 seed. Greybull will go in as the conference #1 seed. Rocky Mountain won the pigtail game Monday against Riverside and will come in number four.

Thermopolis will open regional game action against Wyoming Indian on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. As with all other tournament teams, the goal is to win at least two games to qualify for the state tourney the following weekend.

"The Lady Bobcats are confident that they will play their best ball of the year in Riverton," said Sova. "As always, all the fan support is much appreciated by this hard working group."