The Lady Pioneers started the week with the highly anticipated game against the CJI Hawks. The girls came out in full-court pressure hoping to come out and get a quick lead on the Hawks. After the first 8 minutes of play, the Lady Pioneers trailed by 2 points with a score of 20-18. After settling in and making a few quick adjustments to the Lady Hawk’s ways and their ability to get the ball up and down the floor ending the first half of play with a 38-34 lead. The second have of the game was back and forth, with both teams battling to make each possession count. The lady pioneers kept their foot on the gas and came out with their 3rd conference win on the season with a final score of 64-58. Eva Yeadon led the Pioneers with 23 points 9 free throws going 75% from the charity stripe. Yeadon also pulled down 11 boards. Eva Wagoner had a big game on both ends of the basketball court and contributed 20 points. Jai Baumann settling into her point guard position, led the team with an impressive 9 steals and 5 assists. J. Baumann and K. Galbavy each added 7 points to the scores column.
The Lady Pioneers started the weekend on Friday night with their 2nd contest against the 3rd ranked Box Elder Lady Bears. The Pioneers kept it close in the first quarter, but the outstanding press of the Lady Bears was smothering, leaving the Lady Pioneers in a pretty big hole at halftime. The second half would bring more of the same as the Bears continued their full-court pressure and fierce ability to trap. The Lady Pioneer gave it everything they had, but the Lady Bears continued to build their lead. With the highly experienced and talented team, the Lady Bears came out on top with a final score of 69-38. Leading the Lady Pioneer was “The Eva’s,” both scoring 14 points apiece. Jai Baumann added 6 points, and Jenny Sant checked into the game a quickly went 2 for 2 from the field, adding 4 points.
Saturday night, the Lady Pioneer look to bounce back with a highly anticipated match-up with the North Star Knights. These games become increasingly critical down the stretch as the 9C district tournament draws closer each day. Both teams started a little slow, but things got interesting as the first quarter drew to a close, with the game tied at 11. The second quarter belonged to the Lady Pioneer, who dominated the period, outscoring the Knights 19-10. The offense was clicking. The Pioneers showcased what the future holds as they learned the benefits of playing like a team. Starting the second half, the girls came out flat and quickly gave back the lead they had built but make no mistake; these girls possess the fight to claw back in. As the clock ticked down, it came down 5 seconds on the clock and one final attempt to draw up a final play to win the game. As the buzzer sounded, the scoreboard was 50-49, and the Knights claimed the victory leaving the Lady Pioneer hungry to meet them again down the road. Eva Yeadon led the Lady Pioneers with 25 points, knocking down 9 free throws, shooting 75%, and pulling down 11 rebounds. Eva Wagoner knocked down 10 points and had five boards. Lainey Terry hit a big three-ball and had 5 points on the night. Angie Sant went 4-6 from the line, and point guard Jai Baumann kept the momentum where the lady pioneers liked it by grabbing eight steals and then delivering four assists in critical times.
The Lady Pioneers will be traveling to Hays on Tuesday, Turner on Friday, and CJI on Saturday.
