Lady Grizzlies overpowered at Powell

The Rocky Mountain Lady Grizzles started the new year on the road in Powell on Thursday night, but the Lady Grizz had no answers for the Lady Panthers’ Emery Hernandez.

The Lady Grizzlies made a great effort in the second half of the game, but in the end, Hernandez became a handful for the Rocky Mountain defense as Powell secured a 44-32 win.

In the first period, both Rocky Mountain and Powell had trouble scoring. With 5:31 on the clock, the Lady Panthers scored first at the free-throw line, getting just 1 point. Rocky Mountain would score their first basket midway through the quarter and trailed 10-2 at the quarter break. Powell outscored Rocky 10-7 in the second quarter to lead 20-9 at the half.

In the third period, both Rocky Mountain and Powell got off to another slow start. With 5:16 on the clock, Lady Panther Saige Kidd scored, and Ivy Agee capitalized on a steal for two more as Powell increased their lead to 24-9.

Rocky Mountain finally scored with 3:50 left on the clock as Tarynn Schoening drilled a three-point basket to cut into the lead at 24-12 in favor of the Lady Panthers. Powell went on to lead 34-20 at the end of the third period. 

The Lady Grizzlies did all they could to make a comeback in the fourth period, however, the Lady Panthers would take control of the game. Two baskets kept Rocky in the game trailing 36-24, but the Lady Grizz could not close the gap, falling 44-32.

“We knew this weekend would be tough playing two solid 3A teams,” Rocky head coach Justin Moss said. “Powell is very quick and has some solid shooters. We struggled to contain Hernandez, however, we only gave up 44 points to a solid offensive team.”

Moss said his girls have some work to do and believes they can improve on their shooting. He said the girls did better in the second half.

“Offensively, we were a little rushed and missed some shots we usually make, then forced some as we tried to get back into the game,” he said. “We were much better in the second half. We just needed to do a better job with our first four possessions in the first and second quarter. The girls just need to do a better job of playing together and creating easier shots for each other.”

Lauren Bassett led the Lady Grizz with 11 points, and Schoening added 9, Kaysie Cooley 6, Sharlotte Hanusa 4 and Keylee Wambeke 2. Bassett grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Grizz, and Shelby Wambeke added eight, Christiansen six.

Hernandez scored 21 for Powell to lead all scorers.