Lovell freshman cagers survive packed schedule

Coming off the Christmas break, the Lovell freshman basketball squads jumped into the middle of a busy schedule with each team playing five games in five days.

The freshman girls opened the busy stretch by clobbering Columbus, Montana, 36-19, at home Thursday. The Lady Bulldogs led 12-7 after the first quarter, then shut out Columbus 8-0 in the second to lead 20-7 at halftime. Lovell outscored Columbus 16-12 in the second half.

Avery Walker led a balanced Lovell attack with 12 points. Ali Walker and Ava Edwards added 11 points each, Caylee Herman and Addie Weber 1 point each.

The Lady Bulldogs crushed host Buffalo 38-22 at the Buffalo Freshman Tournament Saturday as Avery Walker scored 13 points, Ali Walker 9, Edwards 8, Weber 4, Herman and Christina Zollman 2 apiece.

Lovell then beat Sheridan 43-35. The Lady Bulldogs clung to a 25-22 lead after three quarters, then outscored Sheridan 18-13 in the fourth. Ali Walker scored 17 points to lead the Lady Bulldogs, and sister Avery added 9, Edwards and Herman 7 each and Weber 3.

The Lady Bulldogs wrapped up the tournament by hammering Campbell County High School (Gillette) 56-21. Avery Walker poured in 19 points, and Edwards added 14, Weber 9, Ali Walker 7, Herman 4, Zollman and Jaycie Allen 2 each.

Monday at home, the Lady Bulldogs concluded their busy stretch with a 40-32 loss to Powell at home. The Lady Bulldogs led 18-11 at halftime but were outscored 29-14 in the second half. Avery Walker scored 14 points, Ali Walker 8, Edwards 7, Herman 2 and Allen 1.

The Lady Bulldogs will return to action Monday when they travel to Cowley to meet Rocky Mountain at 6:15 p.m., and they will host Worland Tuesday at 5 p.m.

The Lovell junior varsity squad beat Rocky Mountain Friday 40-26, trailing 5-4 after the first quarter then seizing control in the second with a 15-2 outburst. Kaydree Owens scored 13 points for the Lady Bulldogs, Hannity Felkins 10, Ali Walker 4, Kandace Asay and Avery Walker 3 each, Kindle Collins, Jenna Hessenthaler and Brooklin Clark 2 apiece, Kira Collins 1.

Kaysie Cooley led Rocky Mountain with 10 points, and Halle Grandalen added 6 points, Charlee Welling and Emma Sponsel 3 apiece, Brooklyn Larsen and Kennedy Brimhall 2 each.

Freshman boys

The Lovell freshman boys squad fell to Columbus 46-45 Thursday, then won two of three games in Buffalo Saturday. Lovell led Columbus 38-35 after three, but the visitors won the fourth 11-7. Tyler Knowles scored 14 points for the Bulldogs, Kyson Crosby 9, Anthony Garcia 7, Grant Hill 6, Wilson Hendershot 4, Dallin Bischoff 3 and Tazz McArthur 2.

Playing a tough Buffalo squad on their home court Saturday, the Bulldogs fell 51-32. Nathan Cornia scored 7 points, Garcia 6 points, Bischoff, Kade Durtsche, Rocco Rael and Crosby 4 each and Aaiden Walker 3.

Lovell then stopped Thermopolis 38-32 as Knowles scored 13 points, Hendershot 5, Rael, Cornia and Hill 4 each, McArthur and Bischoff 3 each, Crosby 2.

The Bulldogs beat Douglas 48-39, outscoring the Bearcats 20-10 in the second quarter to gain the edge they needed. Garcia and Cornia scored 8 points each, Bischoff 7, McArthur 6, Hendershot, Walker, Hill and Dean Anderson 4 apiece, Knowles 3.

Monday at home, the Bulldogs beat visiting Powell 42-33. Lovell led 17-4 at halftime, and Powell won the second half 29-25 but fell short. Hill scored 13 for Lovell, Garcia and Bischoff 5 each, Crosby, Walker and Cornia 4 apiece, Knowles 3 and McArthur and Anderson 2 each.

The Bulldogs (4-3) will host Rocky Mountain Monday at 6:15 p.m. and Worland Tuesday at 6:30.