Lady Tigers battle HEM to the buzzer

With a full squad back in action, the Encampment Lady Tigers (1-8) (0-1) were on the hardwood again last Saturday against Hanna-Elk Mountain- Medicine Bow (2-6) (1-0).

The Lady Tigers had the spark coming into this conference game and it was a seesaw battle until the final buzzer.

Cassidy Little started out the Lady Tigers’ scoring, and also had a key block to shut down the Miner’s offense early in the game. Little also played lights out under the rim tallying seven rebounds.

Jennifer Morgan helped by racking up nine rebounds in defense and added four blocks on the night. The two Tigers came through with 10 points between them. Little had 8 and Morgan scored 2. Morgan also gave her teammates five assists on the night.

“Jennifer really stepped up her defense in this game,” coach Amy Clay said. “She also made some great passes to her teammates which led to made baskets.”

HEM made it apparent they weren’t going to be pushed over and came on strong, scoring well in the second quarter. Encampment played a zone in the first half and although Encampment’s defense let off a little in the second, the offense kept pace and was able to keep the Tigers in the game. Encampment faced a deficit at half, but it was only 6 with a score of 11-17.

The second half was much of the same battle. HEM got out ahead into the third, but the fourth quarter was all Encampment.

Clay said, “We got out-scored in the second and third and came back to out-score HEM 13-5 in the fourth.”

The effort given from freshman Alyssa Barkhurst rallied the Lady Tigers. Barkhurst had a double double with 22 points and 12 rebounds and racked up 3 steals to keep her team alive. Barkhurst’s 22 points was a season high, and she led the Tigers through the game.

One of the steals from Barkhurst came late in the game and the Lady Tiger converted to tie the game at 31 with time running down.

HEM found the net once more to go up 2 points with only one minute left. Barkhurst again went to the line, but could only convert one of her free throws to make the score 32-33.

The Lady Tigers fouled HEM with seconds remaining, but a HEM player converted, bringing the score to 32-34 at the final buzzer.

“We had several chances at the end and we just couldn’t get the ball to go in the basket,” Clay said. “I’m so proud of this team, they make a few mistakes but never quit fighting.”

Up next for the Lady Tigers are two more conference matches on the road against Cokeville on Jan. 18 and Farson-Eden on Jan. 19.