Lady Bobcats encounter tough competition

The Hot Springs County High School girls varsity basketball team traveled to Worland last Thursday for a rivalry game against the Lady Warriors, losing a very close contest by a score of 49 to 44. Each team came in to the contest with two wins on the season.

Both teams started slow in the first quarter, with Thermopolis putting up two points on their first possession, and then the shooting went cold, until just 23 seconds left in the period. In the second quarter, the ladies played a more impressive period , coming out quick and strong against the very good team from Worland.

As the second half opened, the Lady Cats appeared to be a little excited from their positive second period performance, hurrying the action,and becoming less effective on offense. Throughout the contest, free-throw shooting was an issue, with the Lady Cats shooting just 7 of 20 from the free-throw line. Missed opportunities that would have come in handy in the final score.

Austin Slagle was a force under the glass with 9 rebounds, while Dazlynn Hunt was working hard around the rim. Jayssie Owsley had an under-the-bucket, left handed layup that was just a thing of beauty.

Hanna Hill had 12 points (including 3 three-point shots), Dazlynn Hunt had 6 points, Jayssie Owsley had 9 points, Chloee Owsley had 2 points, Kamryn Farrell had 4 points, Ina King had 5 points and Austin Slagle had 6 points.

After the game, coach Tyler Weinberger said, “This was our best scoring performance. The starters really stepped up. It feels like the puzzle is really beginning to come together.”

Friday, found the Lady Cats at home in a game against the Lovell Lady Bulldogs. Thermopolis started the game on a positive note, displaying a confident, and commanding, presence which they carried throughout the opening period – finishing the quarter up by one point. In the period, Kamryn Farrell had two 3-pointers, and Hanna Hill added a third.

The Lady Bulldogs put in a tough defensive press in the second period, which seemed to unnerve the Lady Cats. The ladies became less poised with their ball possession, leading to a number of turn-overs and resulting in only three points for Thermopolis in that period.

The second half was a back and forth affair, with Lovell ultimately pulling away on the scoreboard. As positives, the half saw Jayssie Owsley put up another admirable reverse layup, while Dazlynn Hunt dropped two from the three-point line.

Dazlynn Hunt had 9 points (including two 3-pointers), Chloee Owsley had 1 point (from the free-throw line), Kamryn Farrell had 8 points (including two 3-pointers), Jayssie Owsley had 8 points, Ina King had 2 points, Hanna Hill had 4 points (including a 3-pointer) and Austin Slagle had 4 points.

Coach Weinberger commented, “That was the best basketball we have played all year. We were certainly due. I thought we matched up pretty well against Lovell, but they handle the press really well, and we still need work there.”

The Lady Cats next travel to Lyman and Mountain View next weekend, and coach Weinberger said, “It’s always tough to get a win on the road. Those teams play a zone defense that sometimes forces you to do things you’re not comfortable doing. We will need to be disciplined in our play, if we want to be successful.”

See the school calendar on this page for game times.