Regional basketball action starts Thursday evening

The Thermopolis Lady Cats had a busy weekend hosting Douglas on Friday and Newcastle on Saturday, the last home games of the season.

Coach Cory Sova said they had received some scouting reports about the Douglas team – they're big and tall, strong, quick, aggressive and skilled – and the reports were true.

"Our girls did a number of good things," he said, "but we couldn't keep the pace."

The girls led 6-2 after the first few minutes, but Douglas immediately answered to lead by nine after the first period.

The Cats played a great fourth quarter, scoring 24 points, but it just wasn't enough as the girls dropped the game to Douglas, 47-70.

"Our girls never quit and they fought hard until the end," Sova said. "We were 8 for 12 from the field, including 4 of 5 from the three point arc.

"Ashley (McPhie) found her shooting range and made her last four field goal attempts, including a couple of three-pointers. Aspen Jensen made her last three field goals, too, including a couple of three pointers."

Haley McDermott shot well and ended with 11 points and led the team with four assists.

McKenna Bomengen led the team with nine rebounds while Hailie Weber and Kaylee DeVries each had five. Tahja Hunt assisted on three baskets.

"Hailie (Weber) did a great job off the bench," Sova said. "She made half of her field goal attempts and both of her free-throws along with those five rebounds. I was really happy for her as she works extremely hard and has improved immensely."

Saturday's game was a nail-biter to the end with a double overtime with Newcastle. The Cats lost by just three points.

They were down by two with 1.9 second left in the first overtime and Newcastle had the ball. Newcastle called time out and tried to throw a long pass that ended up going out of bounds without being touched.

The Cats got the ball under Newcastle's basket and the girls executed perfectly with McPhie threading the needle with a pass to DeVries who made a nice shot right at the buzzer.

Coach Sova said they had multiple opportunities to win in regulation and in overtime, but couldn't get a shot to fall.

DeVries rebounded the ball well with a career high 11 boards. Bomengen also had five offensive and five defensive rebounds, just missing another double/double with eight points.

McPhie had seven rebounds and three assists to go along with her 14 points. Hunt blocked out very well and had seven rebounds, all defensive. McDermott also pitched in with four rebounds and three assists.

"It was an emotional afternoon as we honored Haley (McDermott) as she played her final game in Bobcat Gym," Sova said. "She has meant a lot to Bobcat basketball the past four years. Her leadership and commitment to the program will certainly be missed.

"She has been a great student, a wonderful teammate and just a super-nice person. I certainly see her as an excellent engineering candidate. She has the work ethic, skill-set, personality and attitude to definitely excel.

"Her teammates really lover her and know how much she cares about them."

The Lady Bobcats open up the Regional Tournament in Douglas with another go at the host team.

"I'm sure our girls will battle for 32 minutes," said Sova. "If we can carry over our fourth-quarter play, that would help. If we win that game, we would play in the semi-finals on Friday evening. If we lose, we would play the loser of the Rawlins/Newcastle contest."

The teams that win two games before losing two games qualify for next week's state tournament.

"Our girls know that if they play well, they certainly have the opportunity to be one of the four qualifying teams," Sova said. "It should be an exciting and competitive Regional Tourney."

Tip off against Douglas will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 1.