Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Lady Warriors punch ticket to state tournament with win over Douglas
Senior Aubrey Goodrick (31) works inside for two of her team-high 13 points in the first quarter of Worland's 49-39 win over Douglas on Friday in the semifinals of the 3A East Regional Girls Basketball Tournament in Glenrock.
GLENROCK – The top-ranked Lady Warriors secured themselves a spot in the state tournament next weekend, taking down Douglas 49-39 in the semifinals of the 3A East Regional Basketball Tournament in Glenrock on Friday.
Lady Warriors (21-1) got a much tougher test from the Lady Bearcats (14-8) than they did in the first two meetings, but still did what it had to do to come away with the win to not only punch their ticket to state, but advance to the regional title game as well.
“I was really proud of the way the kids came out. We knew it was going to be two really good teams going toe-to-toe today,” Worland girls basketball coach Mark Mortimer said after the win Friday. “Douglas is a great team and I think we were pretty fortunate to get out of the gym with a win today with the way they played against us.”
Worland got some contribution off the bench in the first quarter, namely from Bryanna Mickelson, as it held a 14-10 lead after the first eight minutes. The Lady Warriors then opened up the second quarter on a 9-0 run to take control, ahead 23-10.
Douglas didn’t get its first points of the quarter until there were 2 minutes and 57 seconds left and cut into the lead some, but Worland still led 28-19 at the halftime break.
After outscoring Douglas 10-5 in the third quarter, Worland had to hold off a furious rally from the Lady Bearcats in the final quarter as they tried to fight their way back into the game.
The Lady Warriors held them at bay and thwarted any chance of a comeback, relying on their defense late in the game once again.
“Defensively, we just never really gave them many opportunities to get back in the game,” Mortimer said.
Aubrey Goodrick led Worland with 13 points while Mickelson also finished in double digits, adding 11 off of the bench. Behind those two, Bailey Gibbons and Haley Schneider both finish with seven points apiece.
With their main goal of qualifying for the state tournament accomplished, now the Lady Warriors have a chance to bring home some hardware as well as they play for the 3A East title this evening at 7:30 p.m. against Newcastle.
The Lady Dogies defeated Buffalo in the other semifinal game 59-55 in double overtime.
