◆ Star Valley girls will face physical defenses on the road this week.
On paper it was supposed to be a rout, but it ended up being a tight game that required a few big plays down the stretch as the Lady Braves basketball team survived visiting Jackson 41-36.
It is the 19th straight time that the Star Valley girls have beaten the Lady Broncs, but it was not easy.
Trailing by two at the half, Star Valley got some big-time contributions off the bench from Emma Thomson and Kaylee Hale who combined for 12 third-quarter points. Thomson, standing 5’ 1” tied for the game-high in rebounds (7) along with Page Nield. Hale took a timely charge on defense and knocked down a big three-pointer on a night where the team shot under 20-percent from beyond the arc.
“We have to execute our offense for a better shot,” head coach Kade Erickson stated. “As we run our offense, we have to do our cut [and] screens with a purpose; looking to shoot and score. Overall, we have to run each offensive set, whether in transition or a half court set, with crispness and confidence. I love that we are patient offensively sometimes, but also need play with a sense of urgency.”
Defense and larceny kept the Lady Braves in the game as they out-shot Jackson 57-21 in the game, but shot just 28-percent from the floor. The backcourt of Thomson, Brierly Battleson and McKenna Brog combined for nine steals in the game.
Another key factor was Brog finding her shot late in the game. After missing all six of her shot attempts in the game, Brog drained her last three including a three-pointer. Her seven-point push along with game-high four steals helped build the winning cushion.
“We have to become better form shooters from the outside and finish at the rim,” Erickson added. “Passing and catching has to become a better strength for us. We have to be able to handle the ball well in all aspects to be a better offensive threat.”
The Lady Braves will be in Evanston on Thursday for a 6 p.m. varsity tip. Star Valley swept the Devils last season with a 3-0 mark which included a hard-fought victory at the 4A West Regionals in Cody.
The Lady Braves will be off on Friday and then travel to Green River for a Saturday varsity start of 3:30 p.m.
“Evanston is aggressive and physical; we have to match that, keep them off the boards, and get to the rim offensively,” Erickson continued. “I expect that they will put pressure on us, so we will have to handle that pressure and break their press. They have two posts that we have to keep in front of us and make them shoot over us, and try to get them in foul trouble.”
Whereas Evanston may turn the game into a half-court slug-fest, the Wolves will want to run like a pack.
“Green River is fast and physical,” Erickson replied. “They get up and down the floor fast. They are good shooters from mid-range, outside, and around the basket. We will have our hands full, because they shoot really well, and also cause a lot of turnovers defensively.”
