Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Lady Bobcat McKenna Bomengen looks for a teammate during a Jan. 18 game against Worland at Hot Springs County High School.
THERMOPOLIS - On the road last week for games against Wheatland and Torrington, the Hot Springs County Lady Bobcats basketball team ended the weekend with a 1-1 spilt.
The Lady Bobcats (7-9 overall, 1-2 3A East: West division) defeated Wheatland 58-31 Friday but lost to Torrington 46-40 the next day.
LADY BOBCATS 58, WHEATLAND 31
The quad group of senior Haley McDermott and sophomores McKenna Bomengen, Sesi Jensen and Ashley McPhie combined to score 53 of the Lady Bobcats 58 points.
Bomengen and McDermott each scored 15 points while Jensen scored 12 and McPhie added 11.
The Lady 'Cats shot 55 percent from the field, going 3 of 7 from the 3-point line and 9 of 17 from the charity stripe
"We shot the ball really well from the field and played consistent offensively for the majority of the game. We were also 50 percent from the free-throw line," said HSCHS girls basketball coach Cory Sova.
One of the more interesting statistical notes from the Lady 'Cats victory was they were outshot 68 to 43, lost the turnover battle 23 to 12 and gave up 27 offensive rebounds to Wheatland (2-13 overall, 1-3 3A East: East division), yet still cruised to a 27-point win.
"We did struggle taking care of the ball. A few of the errors were mental and unforced. We also gave up way too many offensive rebounds, although a bunch of these were long rebounds. We actually showed better blocking out compared to the last few weeks. They got way more field goals attempts because of the big number of offensive rebounds as well as having far fewer turnovers than us. We were very fortunate that they didn't shoot a decent percentage," said Sova.
Added Sova about the performance of Bomengen, Jensen, McDermott and McPhie: "It was fantastic for us to have four girls in double digits for scoring. McKenna struggled with turnovers but was otherwise outstanding, getting a double-double working hard for 14 rebounds to go along with her 15 points. Haley also had outstanding play shooting well with 15 points along with four rebounds, five assists and two steals. Her senior leadership was awesome. Sesi also played very well. She attacked the basket, shot extremely well and nearly had a double-double with eight rebounds. She stayed out of foul trouble and this really helped our team performance. Ashley was also tremendous with 11 points, a season-high eight rebounds and four assists."
LADY BOBCATS 40, TORRINGTON 46
Usually sharp from the free-throw line, the Lady 'Cats struggled with the free ones in their loss to Torrington (7-8 overall, 2-1 3A East: East division), shooting 35 percent on 5 of 14 attempts.
Making things tougher was the Lady Trailblazers nearly made as many free throws as the Lady 'Cats attempted, going 12 of 25 from the charity stripe.
The Lady 'Cats shot a solid 45 percent from the field and even held the Lady Trailblazers to 28 percent from the field. But, again, gave too many extra opportunities, losing the turnover battle 23-16 and giving up 25 offensive rebounds, and unlike their game against Wheatland this time it proved costly.
"With the exception of free throws, we shot the ball at a solid percentage again. Torrington got a few more opportunities than us, again because of turnovers and allowing too many offensive rebounds. Torrington was quick and aggressive but we only got to the free-throw line 14 times compared to their 25," said Sova.
Bomengen, McDermott and McPhie all scored in double digits with Bomengen leading the way with 12 while McDermott and McPhie scored 10 points each.
While the Lady 'Cats fell to the Lady Trailblazers their overall performances in their two-game road trip provided plenty of positives to build on. Now they just need to clean up a few areas as they prepare for the final stretch of their regular season schedule.
"Torrington is a team that we well might meet again at Regionals with a state tournament berth on the line ... All in all, it was a good weekend for this long two-day trip. The girls certainly stepped up and worked hard and made a bunch of fine plays offensively and defensively. They will need to work on the mental preparation part of rebounding. We will also work on playing against strong trapping defense to help us take care of the ball better," said Sova.
THIS WEEK
The schedule this week for the Lady Cat's as them facing off against 3A East: West division rivals Worland and No. 3-ranked Buffalo.
On Jan. 18 the Lady 'Cats beat Worland 53-48 in overtime and on Jan. 19 lost to Buffalo 75-37.
"On Thursday this week, we make the short trip to Worland for the rematch with the Lady Warriors. They put up huge numbers against Wheatland on Saturday and will be a tough matchup for us but our girls are looking forward to it. On Friday, we will host Buffalo in a "Pink Out" Cancer Awareness Contest," said Sova.
Thursday the Lady 'Cats travel to Worland for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff and Friday they host Buffalo in a 5:30 p.m. contest.
