Lady Bulldogs drop conference games

After missing out on the long trip to Pinedale Friday due to conditions on South Pass, the Lovell Lady Bulldogs traveled to Lander twice in four days this week.

Saturday, the Lady Bulldogs fell to top-ranked Pinedale after returning to Lander to meet the Wranglers halfway.

The Lady Bulldogs got as far as Greybull Friday morning before word came to return home. They retraced their tracks Saturday and went on to Lander, where they fell to the Lady Tigers 50-45.

“It seemed like we were not quite focused from the get-go on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court,” coach Brian May said. “We didn’t match their physicality. They bumped and knocked us off spots, and we weren’t rebounding and boxing out well. They got to loose balls.”

Lander led 13-9 after the first quarter and outscored Lovell 13-11 in the second to lead 26-20 at halftime.

“The biggest thing was, we weren’t doing a good job in the man to man, and they got to the foul line,” May said. “We went to a 2-3 zone, which we played fairly well for a while. We held their leading scorer (Goklish) to 6 points, but our defensive rotations in the zone, especially in the second quarter, weren’t great. The McFadden girl hit five threes.”

Trailing by six at the half, the Lady Bulldogs cut the deficit to three once or twice in the third quarter, May said, and after Lander pulled out to a 10-point lead, Lovell cut the margin to two in the fourth quarter and even had a chance to tie but missed inside and had to foul. Lander hit seven of nine free throws in the fourth quarter.

“It felt like we were getting looks inside and out, but we didn’t finish close looks and open jump shots,” May said. “We started fouling with 1:20 left, still within three, but we ran out of time outs, which hurt us.”

Kenadee Rael scored 12 points to lead the Lady Bulldogs, and Breeah Jones and Libby Mickelson added 9 points each, Becca Nichols and Kennadee Owens 5 apiece, Raegan May 3 and Hannity Felkins 2. Owens snared seven rebounds, Jones six, and Rael dished off six assists.

Pinedale loss

It was tough sledding against top-ranked Pinedale Tuesday afternoon in Lander, but the Lady Bulldogs hung tough with the Lady Wranglers before falling 58-48.

Lovell came out strong and led Pinedale 13-9 after the first quarter, but Pinedale outscored Lovell 20-11 in the second to lead 29-24 at halftime. Pinedale edged Lovell 13-12 in the third quarter and won the fourth 16-12.

Rael was hot for the Lady Bulldogs and led the team with 21 points. Nichols, Jones and Felkins added 5 points each, Brooklin Clark 4, May and Mickelson 3 each and Owens 2.

“The girls played well and kept the game close,” May said. “They fought hard the entire game. We consistently talk about fixing some little things and if we execute those things, we give ourselves a chance to win. Kenadee Rael had an all-round awesome game that really helped the team keep it close.”

JVs

The Lovell junior varsity squad beat Lander 53-41 Saturday as Kandace Asay and Jenna Hessenthaler scored 11 points each, Kaydree Owens 9, Avery Walker 8, Hannity Felkins 7, Kindle Collins 4 and Ali Walker 3.

“The JV squad played awesome,” coach Jen Hessenthaler said. “It was a balanced scoring effort. The girls moved the ball well and played well as a team. It was a fun game.”

Two more

The Lady Bulldogs will travel to Cody Friday to meet the powerful Cody Fillies Friday at 4 (JV) and 5:30 p.m., then will host Worland Saturday at 2 and 3:30 p.m. The Lady Bulldogs fell to Cody 49-20 at home on January 14 but clobbered Worland on the road January 23, 45-18.

“For Cody, we’ve got to work on their pressure, both their half-court and full-court man,” May said, adding that the Fillies are tough with their “length, speed and overall physicality.”

“Executing in the half court will be important, being patient and not forcing anything,” he added.

“Against Worland, we’ve got to be able to pressure them and play really good defense in the half court, not allowing any layups, basket cuts or open jump shots. I hope we can hit some shots. I’ve been encouraged the last few days. I hope we keep that up.”