Lady Panthers split games

RANGELY I The lady Panthers basketball team took their show on the road last weekend, playing in Baggs, Wyo., Friday last and then traveling to Kremmling for a game against the West Grand Mustangs. Rangely lost to Little Snake River 32-46, then beat West Grand 50-33.
“We beat Little Snake River (Rattlers) twice this year but it is always hard to beat a team three times in a row,” head coach Quinton Kent said. “We were missing some key players and that hurt us but we still had plenty of chances.”
Rangely senior Chelsea Ficken did not play last weekend because of an injury and classmate Quincey Thacker went to a volleyball tryout at Snow College.
“Chelsea not playing really hurt us defensively against Little Snake and West Grand and Quincey made it back for the West Grand game,” Kent said.
The Rattlers jumped out to a 14-6 lead after the first quarter and took an 11 point lead at halftime. Rangely outscored the Rattlers 12-10 in the third quarter but still trailed by nine.
“We cut their double digit lead to seven about halfway through the fourth quarter but just couldn’t get any closer,” Kent said. “We missed a lot of shots throughout the game and gave up too many easy buckets inside. I was proud of the way our girls stepped up being short-handed.”
Brittany Babineaux led the lady Panthers with 17 points, including three, three-pointers. Aimee Hogan finished with five, Leslie Hernandez and Shelby Neiberger each scored four points and Kelsey Prosser added two.
In Kremmling, the lady Panthers led the entire game.
“This was the best balance we have had on offense all year, with six of the seven girls who played, scoring for us,” Kent said. “West Grand fought hard and hung around for a long time before we finally pulled away in the second half.”
Rangely led 10-5 after the first quarter and 25-16 at halftime before doubling West Grand’s six points in the third quarter to take a 16-point lead into the final quarter.
“We have challenged the girls to step up and be more confident with the ball and we saw some improvement last weekend,” Kent said. “It was fun to have that kind of team effort.
Thacker led the team with 17 points and Babineaux finished with 15. Hernandez scored seven, while Aimee Hogan and Prosser each added four and Neiberger added three.
Rangely played in Steamboat Springs Wednesday and host Plateau Valley this Saturday starting at 1 p.m.