Lady Buffs face Big Piney in West Regional opener

Although the final two games of the regular season did not go as the Lady Buffs would have scripted them, they still ended up third in the conference and will take on Big Piney at noon today (Thursday, Feb. 27) in the middle school gym in Riverton.

Greybull lost to both Shoshoni and Big Horn last weekend. 

The loss to Shoshoni was by 2 points, but it was a game that went down to the wire before the Lady Blue pulled out the one-point win in Shoshoni Friday. The Buffs won the earlier game with Shoshoni that was played in Greybull.

“We had a very slow start, and they didn’t,” according to Coach Jeff Hunt.  “Shoshoni played their best game of the season and we could never get in sync on offense, or defense.”

Despite the struggle to “put things together,” Hunt said his team never gave up.  Greybull kept the game close and within reach.

At the half Greybull was just down by five points, 28-23

Hunt gave a lot of credit to the Lady Blue. “They forced us to take shots we don’t usually take,” which makes it hard to get your offense clicking like you would like.

With six seconds left on the clock, the score was tied and the Lady Blue had the ball. But as fate would have it, the Lady Blue player was fouled on a 3-point shot. She stepped to the line, hit two of three and gave her team the 46-44 victory. 

Perla Rodriguez scored 14, Camila Acuna 12 and Mataia Henderson 6 in the loss.

Saturday’s game with Big Horn was a time for honoring the seniors for their work, dedication and leadership. 

 Big Horn took the floor ready to play; the Lady Buffs, however, were again slow to get started. That led to a first quarter 20-7 deficit.  

“They came out and took advantage of their athleticism,” Hunt noted. “They shot lights out to start the game and we came out flat.”  

The Buffs were down 35-18 at the half.  Hunt said the girls started the third quarter the same as they did the first quarter, “but the girls never quit.”  The Buffs were trailing by double digits after three quarters but came back in the fourth and started pressing and forced a lot of turnovers.  With one minute left in the game, the Buffs were down 56-52.  The Buffs had to foul in the last minute and Big Horn took advantage, making two free throws which led to a final score of 60-54.  “It was an outstanding effort by our girls,” said Hunt. “They never quit and showed a lot of heart in the second half.  We couldn’t quite finish the game in our favor, but we proved to ourselves what we are capable of.”

Against Big Horn Rodriguez led all scorers with 19, followed by Henderson with 13. 

Regional preview

Sharing the Class 2A West Regional bracket with Greybull and Big Piney are Rocky Mountain and Kemmerer. The other side includes No. 1 from the north, Thermopolis, along with Shoshoni, Wind River and Wyoming Indian.

The key to state is to win two games before you lose two games.  

“I really feel like this tournament is up in the air,” said Hunt. “There are several teams there with losing records and Big Piney is one of them.  They’re very athletic and have one of the fastest kids in the state, but we have a size advantage.  

“When we play well, we can play with anyone there.  We’ve proven that at times all season.  It’s just a matter of if we show up early in the game or late.  This is a tough tournament to fight back in.  Emotions are high every game and it’s just a different feeling.  We tend to play well earlier in the day so I am hoping we can take advantage of that.”

To reach the state tournament, Hunt said, “We will have to play our best basketball and limit our opponents offensive possessions. That’s our goal.  Our guards will have to rebound hard this weekend.  Everyone there will be trying to shut down Perla.  She is finishing well right now and ended the season averaging a double-double in our region.  We just need someone else to step up every game and fill the void if they are doing a better job on her.” 

Shoshoni 15 13   6 12 — 46

Greybull 11 12 11 10 — 44

GREYBULL — Jasmine Rodriguez 0-3 0-0 0, Mataia Henderson 2-12 0-0 6, Shayne Cheatham 2-6 0-0 5, Marlee Henson 1-4 0-0 2, Sherlyn Diaz-Rios 1-2 0-0 2, Perla Rodriguez 6-9 2-8 14, Wyatt Whaley 1-3 0-0 3, Camila Acuna 6-12 0-2 12, Mya Oatman 0-4 0-0 0, Caitlyn Hunt 0-1 0-0 0.  Totals 19-of-56 (FGs) 2-of-10 (FTs) 44.

3-POINT GOALS — Henderson 2, Cheatham, Whaley.  REBOUNDS — Greybull 38 (P. Rodriguez, Acuna 7).  STEALS — Greybull 15 (Henderson, Henson 4).  ASSISTS — Greybull 16 (Acuna 4).  TURNOVERS — Greybull 27. 

Big Horn 20 15 15 10 — 60

Greybull   7 11 19 17 — 54

GREYBULL — J. Rodriguez 0-1 0-0 0, Henderson 5-14 2-2 13, Cheatham 3-6 0-0 6, Henson 1-5 0-0 2, Diaz-Rios 1-2 0-1 2, P. Rodriguez 9-11 1-2 19, Whaley 0-2 0-0 0, Acuna 3-4 3-6 9, Oatman 1-2 1-2 3.  Totals 23-of-47 (FGs) 7-of-13 (FTs) 54.

3-POINT GOALS  — Henderson. REBOUNDS — Greybull 29 (P. Rodriguez 11).  STEALS — Greybull 9 (Cheatham 3).  ASSISTS — Greybull 16 (Henderson, Acuna 4).  TURNOVERS – Greybull 18.