CHANCE AT HISTORY

CASPER – Entering the second day of the Class 3A Wyoming High School State Girls Basketball Championships, Worland found itself just one game away from the playing in the state title game. The only thing standing in its way was Rawlins.

Though it was one of the toughest tests of the season thus far, the Lady Warriors were not to be denied as they defeated the Lady Outlaws 57-49 on Friday at Casper College.

And now – for the second time in three years – they're right where they expected to be all season long: Playing for a state championship.

"Our sophomore year we were really excited ... we didn't really know we were going there," senior Aubrey Goodrick said on Friday. "But that was this year's goal, we expected nothing less than a state championship and that's what we've been working toward game by game.

"We've just got to stay focused and we've done a pretty good job of that so far. We know every game is going to be a battle. We're at the state tournament, anything can happen."

Rawlins was able to keep itself in the game in the first half thanks to its 3-point shooting, knocking down five treys in the first 16 minutes of the game. That was they only bright spot for the Lady Outlaws, though, as Worland held them to 24 percent shooting in the first half on 6 of 25 shooting.

The Lady Warriors also forced 12 turnovers in the first half, turning those into 11 points on the offensive end as they led 30-19 at the halftime break.

"Their 3-point shooting really kept them in the game that first half," Worland girls basketball coach Mark Mortimer said after the win on Friday. "We kept losing assignments – we were doubling off of kids that we shouldn't have been and that was the main thing we talked about going into halftime."

Whatever Mortimer said must have really sunk in as Rawlins was just 1 of 7 from 3-point range in the second half.

Big third quarter

The Lady Warriors opened up their largest lead of the game in the beginning of the third quarter, scoring five quick points to put themselves ahead 35-19. But the Lady Outlaws regrouped and actually outscored Worland in the quarter 11-10 – yet Worland still led 41-30 through three quarters.

The fourth quarter was filled with offense as Rawlins fought furiously to make some sort of comeback led by senior Bailey Forney who had a game-high 26 points.

The Lady Warriors made necessary stops down the stretch and also had some timely buckets as well as they held off the Lady Outlaws for the eight-point win.

"Other than those few lapses in communication, we did an outstanding job defensively," Mortimer said. "Forney is such a great player and she made plays for them. I thought our kids did well sticking with her and making it tough – nothing came easy for her."

Mortimer was right as Forney's big game came on 6 of 20 shooting. Most of her points were from the charity stripe where she was 12 of 16.

Four in double figures

Worland had four score in double digits, led by Lyndzi Rich and Haley Schneider with 13 apiece. Bryanna Mickelson also had 11 while Goodrick finished with 11 and was a perfect 3 of 3 on 3-point attempts.

The ability to get points from a variety of players is one of the main reasons the Lady Warriors are back in the state title game where they'll face Star Valley today at around 6:30 p.m. at the Casper Events Center.

Just getting there isn't enough, though.

All intentions are to win it.

"This was the goal for our three seniors after being in the state title game three years ago," Mortimer said. "It left a bad taste in our mouths losing to Douglas. We want this one.

"Bad."