Tigers keep tight with Saratoga

The clock is winding down as the 1A West Regional Tournament approaches and the Encampment Tigers have just three more chances to secure a conference win in the hopes of punching their ticket to the big dance.

Last week, the Tigers split their two games as they were hosted by the Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) Miners on Friday and hosted the Saratoga Panthers on Saturday. One game provided some growing potential for the Tigers while the other showcased the progress the varsity players have made this season.

Tigers vs. Miners

On February 4, the Tigers were eastbound as they faced off against the smaller team of HEM boys. Head Coach Duane Gilbert, knowing how few players were on the Miner basketball team, used the game as an opportunity to give his junior varsity some much needed time on the court.

"It was a game we got a chance to play a lot of younger kids and I felt like they grew a lot in that game," said Gilbert. "Hanna, for them to only have five or six kids and to push through a full season like they have, that says something about their kids. They've pretty much taken every game on their shoulders and they gave our young kids a heck of a run there."

Despite their low numbers, the Miners gave Gilbert's young Encampment players plenty to work against. 

"Hanna just lacks numbers," Gilbert said. "They don't have enough to scrimmage in practice and they don't have any subs and that wears you out when you get down there towards the end of the game time."

The final score was 52-36, Encampment.

Tigers vs. Panthers

A day after their win on the road, the Tigers hosted Saratoga for a rematch between the Valley and conference rivals. When the two teams last faced off, it was in Saratoga and the Panthers had walked away with a double-digit lead. This time, however, proved much more difficult for Saratoga's boys.

"I think it shows the character and the effort my kids are giving during the season and they can play with a high quality team like Saratoga," said Gilbert. "To be within a point with 15 seconds left in the game, my boys did everything they were asked, they just came up short in this one."

Though the Tigers may have come up short against Saratoga, Gilbert wasn't about to let that cloud any of the silver linings he could take away from the game. The coach had high praise for senior Caysen Barkhurst.

"Caysen Barkhurst had 22 points against Saratoga. He was our high scorer," Gilbert said. "Caysen gave us tremendous minutes, great effort and he was 100 percent from the free throw line. He did above and beyond what he was asked to do in that game." 

The final score was 41-38, Panthers.

Following their split week, the Encampment Tigers are 5-6 for the season and 0-5 for conference play.

The Tigers have four games remaining in the regular season with three of them conference matches. Encampment will face two more conference rivals this weekend as they are hosted by the Cokeville Panthers (6-10, 3-1) at 4 p.m. on February 11 and by the Farson-Eden Pronghorns (5-10, 2-3) at noon on February 12.