• Face Rock Springs Thursday morning
The Lady Braves basketball team’s primary word of description this year has been grit, and that was again appropriate for their last outing against the Jackson Lady Broncs as they continued their mastery over their Teton County rivals, 45-33. Star Valley has now defeated Jackson 32 consecutive times. But it was far from easy. Both match ups this season with the Lady Broncs were very much like so many of Star Valley’s games this year with nothing coming easy. But the flip side of that coin is a team that consistently finds a way to win in the second half.
“The seniors got a good start for us and they played solid and they had some maturity and it was fun to play them that whole first quarter,” answered head coach Kade Erickson. “Things were a little different and our girls figured it out. Our conditioning helps us with our defense and that’s how we finish games. The other teams are fatigued and they are fouling us and we are able to finish. I think it helps us not foul as much and finishing around the rim. That’s how we’re going to win. It’s not very pretty but we knock down a few shots here and there; Hopefully we can tighten some signs up and go from there.”
Ambrey Nelson led the team with 14 points in the effort, including making eight of her 11 free throw attempts. Ruby Hill scored eight points and Camryn Mackey chipped in seven. Defensively, the Star Valley girls lead the 4A classification in point allowed per game at 35 per contest.
The Lady Braves are the #1 seed out of the 4A Southwest and will face the #4 team out of the 4A Northwest on Thursday to begin the regional tournament in Evanston. That team is the Rock Springs Tigers. One additional challenge will be that it is the first game of the tournament which is a 9 a.m. tip-off which can make for a sluggish start. It is a rematch of the first round regional game last season which Star Valley survived on the Rock Springs court.
“We’ve talked about it,” Erickson said. “We’ve had to do it a handful of times. The top seed in the Southwest ends up getting the early game. We’ll get a lot of shots off on Wednesday night and then head down. Coach Cazier talked about getting a good start and we played pretty flat last year so we’re hoping to bring some energy and hopefully keep them excited and ready to go. We’re bringing back a lot of experience so most of those girls have that experience in the different atmosphere so hopefully we’re prepared.”
That experience comes from a group of seniors that has had to work for every win this season which now comes down to the next few days.
“It’s a great group of seniors,” Erickson said. “I’ve enjoyed working with them, my daughter is that age and it’s interesting to see that group grow up. We’re excited to see what they can do.”
