RANGELY | The Rangely High School girls basketball team returned from the holiday break with a dominant defensive showing, sweeping a weekend series against Hayden and Soroco to improve to 6–1 overall and 2–0 in league play.
Rangely opened the weekend on the road Friday night with a 55–25 win over Hayden, overwhelming the Tigers with relentless pressure defense. The Panthers forced constant turnovers, finishing the night with 28 steals.
Freshman Aubrey Yates led all scorers with 16 points and added five assists and six steals. Fellow freshman Tegan Behunin recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds while anchoring the defense with 10 steals and three blocks. Senior Aubrianna Tapia added 11 points, six rebounds and four steals, while sophomore RyLee Kenney chipped in 11 points and three assists.
“My focus for defense that night was just to be aggressive and do my part,” Behunin said. “For getting boards, I wanted to help my team and go after everything. The chemistry among the freshmen is contributing to the team’s energy because we all have a connection and work well together. We build each other up and are always cheering for each other.”
The Panthers showed no signs of slowing down Saturday, rolling past Soroco 59–26 at home. Rangely again controlled the game early with pressure defense and efficient ball movement, finishing with 32 steals. Tapia turned in a standout performance with 16 points, 13 rebounds and 10 steals. Senior Addison Scott followed with 10 points, 12 rebounds and six steals. Yates added 10 points and five steals, while Behunin finished with 13 points, five rebounds and six steals as Rangely spread production across the lineup.
“We didn’t make a lot of adjustments from the first half to the second,” Behunin said. “We just slowed down a little and played like we know how. By slowing down, our shots were falling better and we were calmer. I see my role in pushing the team’s intensity by pushing myself to play my best, which in turn pushes everyone else. Keeping my head up and being aggressive makes everything more intense.”
Soroco was led by Kolbie Pierce with 10 points and Alayna Edwards with eight.
Over the two-game stretch, Rangely averaged 57 points per game while holding opponents to just 25.5. The Panthers totaled 60 steals over the weekend, repeatedly turning defense into fast-break scoring opportunities.
“The Panthers’ suffocating press and balanced scoring proved too much for our opponents,” head coach Jimmie Mergelman said. “Our defense really set the tone. With two great nonleague matchups coming up, our biggest focus is continuing to do what we do and getting better every day.”
The Lady Panthers travel to Meeker on Tuesday before returning home to face North Fork on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 2:30 p.m. “Overall, the team is confident about going into the Meeker game,” Behunin said. “Everyone is excited and confident. It’s going to be a good, intense and exciting game, and the whole team is looking forward to it.”
