Lady Panthers get stung by Hornets

Saratoga's varsity Lady Panthers lost their first conference game of the season Saturday, with a 48-72 sting from the Pine Bluffs Lady Hornets.

The loss was the Lady Panthers' second of the weekend, after losing 33-52 to Little Snake River Friday. The girls' season record now sits at 3-4 (non-conference) and 0-1 (conference).

Saratoga's junior varsity Lady Panthers also lost to Pine Bluffs with 64-38 earlier in the day.

Coach Matt Love said his varsity girls could have done better with shots or rebounds, but was proud of their drive and determination throughout the game.

"We haven't seen that type of pressure this season and we're breaking in a new point guard, so their press definitely hurt us," he said. "When we did break it, we missed the layup, but we'll be ready for their press next time. We didn't shoot well or rebound well enough, but I did think our half court defense was better. I also thought our girls showed a lot of pride by not giving up at the end."

Heather Oxford scored the most for the team's 48 points, with a total of 15. Meredith Lincoln pitched in 10 points, Justine Fourman snagged eight points, Mati Love scored five points, Shelby McGuire and Cruz Escobedo threw in three points each, and Veronica Lincoln and Haley Soles aced two points each.

Oxford said the girls hustled hard together, and need to make sure they stay focused in their next game.

"I think we hustled really well together, and we worked really hard on defense," she said. "The loss wasn't for a lack of effort, I don't think. Next time we just need to make sure we don't let them get into our heads, and that we stay positive."

The Lady Panthers' next game is the Fremont Tournament, Dec. 24-28 in Ethete. Following the Fremont Tournament the Panthers travel to Burns. Play starts at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2014.