The main definition for the Lady Braves basketball team this season has been “grit” and they showed it off again over this past weekend with a road loss by a single point in Evanston and a come from behind home win over Riverton.

“The biggest thing is the grit that the girls have,” replied head coach Kade Erickson. “It’s a good thing to know that if they get down they can claw their way back out. When we get into regionals and state play if they’re down, they will have that experience and ability. The’ve done great there. It’s impressive to shoot less than 30 percent and the other two teams shoot over 40 and still be competitive and even win. We’re still playing good defense and we’ll keep working on those fundamentals. On the other side of things, we need to work on the fundamentals of offense so we can be ready to compete.”

Star Valley 38  Evanston 39 – 

The Lady Braves trailed for most of the game, but eventually cut what was once a double-digit deficit into a single possession. Late in the game, Star Valley took a one-point lead with under a minute to go before Evanston’s Emma Lonsway put in the eventual game-winner on a runner off the glass. Star Valley had a chance for a shot with under five seconds to go but were unable to get a shot off. Morgan McGee led the team with 15 points. Avery England and Ruby Hill each chipped in five.

Riverton 30  Star Valley 38 – 

It was an ugly first half as the Lady Braves were only able to score four points in the first quarter and just 11 for the half but their trademark defense kept them in the game. Riverton made another push out of halftime to lead by as many as ten, but the home team scratched their way back to even and eventually took a comfortable lead in the final minutes of the contest. Ambrey Nelson led the team with 12 points  and also had five rebounds and five steals. McGee hit double-figures again with 11 points. Hudsyn Kleeman finished with six points and seven rebounds.

It will be Senior Night for the Lady Braves who will be honored in their final home game Friday as they host the Jackson Lady Broncs with a 6 p.m. tip-off time. Seniors on this year’s team include Cam Mackey, Ambrey Nelson, Livy Kleeman, Keira Allred, Ari Foster and Ruby Hill.