Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Play Lovell today at 10:30 a.m.
Worland's Casey Wassum (10) and Bailey Gibbons (22) surround a Cody ballhandler while Lyndzi Rich (32) cuts off any passing lanes during Friday's 41-32 win over the Fillies at Worland High School.
WORLAND - A slow start in the first half had the Worland Lady Warriors trailing the Cody Fillies 17-14 but out of the break WHS shifted to another gear to pull passed CHS by the final score of 41-32 Friday night at Worland High School.
"It was a combination of a couple things," said WHS girls basketball coach Ben Hofmann when talking about his team's slow start in the first half. "We had a little bit of rust, it has been 15, 16 days since we played in the Green River tournament. We had a lot of turnovers in the first half. Also we sat around watching a lot of basketball today, it's a cold Wyoming day. We're either sitting in the gym or sitting at home waiting for our game. Which seems to happen in Wyoming basketball, there are long periods of waiting whether that is indoors or on the bus. So we have to handle those long waits and be ready to play in the first quarter."
Junior guard Casey Wassum jump started Worland's offense with a strong take to the basket for two points. Afterward the Lady Warriors jumped into their full-court press led by Bailey Gibbons and forced the Fillies into turnovers which they then converted into easy buckets.
Down three to start the second half the Lady Warriors outscored Cody 16-5 for the 30-22 lead.
"Early on it wasn't terribly effective but later on it showed in the third and fourth quarters when it took its toll on Cody. We were able to get into our traps better and force some turnovers," said coach Hofmann.
Senior forward Lyndzi Rich led Worland with 19 points and 11 rebounds, Wassum was the team's second leading scorer with seven points, three steals and two assists.
Along with their first unit Worland's second unit came in and provided the energy coach Hofmann was looking for.
"I think our bench gave us good minutes and energy tonight. Saige (Jones) came in and really played hard. BreAnna (Parra), Jayce (Page) and Mackenzie (Cottrell) all played hard and gave good minutes as well. That's what you want from your bench, to come in with energy, know their role and they did a great job at that," said coach Hofmann.
Coach Hofmann added, "Our starters did a pretty good job of playing. We missed a lot of easy layups and I think that's do to rust because we're better than that. Overall both groups did a pretty good job but there's still work to do."
Rebounding and defense is going to be the focus for this Lady Warrior team and against Cody they pulled down 32 rebounds, nine of which were offensive, while holding the Lady Broncs under 40 points.
"We wanted to hold them under 40 tonight, which is one of our goals every night. They did a good job defensively. We rebounded well, there were a few instances where we didn't and that hurt us but for the most part when we rebounded we did well throughout the night," said coach Hofmann.
Today Worland is back in action at 10:30 a.m. against Lovell in the semifinals of the Big Horn Basin Shootout at Worland High School.
"We want to keep working on playing defense and rebounding. We have to do better defensively and we have to keep rebounding the basketball. If we do those things we will be successful," said coach Hofmann when asked what he wants his team to focus on in their next contest.
If Worland wins they will play in the Shootout championship at 3 p.m. at Worland High School. A loss will send them to Thermopolis for the third-place game, also at 3 p.m.
