The GHS girls basketball team maintained their impressive form on the road this week, and defeated the North Fork Miners 55-46 on Jan. 25. The league victory extended the girls streak to three games, following wins over Aspen and Meeker on Jan. 17 and 18.
Now, the Cowboys boast an 8-5 overall record, and sit second in the 3A Western Slope League with a record of 6-1.
“Even though we’re a smaller team physically, we’re doing a much better job battling for the basketball, boxing out and getting rebounds,” said Head Coach Chad Terry. “We’re also not getting rattled when the other team goes on a run, or things aren’t going well for us.”
Terry credited the girls leadership, and their ability to play as a team and share the basketball. Against Aspen, 10 girls contributed to the score, and seniors Kylee McDougal, Sienna Gomez and Yaslin Hernandez each put up double-digits.
“We’ve been playing together since seventh grade, so we have a really strong chemistry,” Hernandez said. “When some of us aren’t having our games, we know it’s time to pass the ball instead of shoot, and let other girls lead.”
Despite the back-to-back victories, the Cowboys faced a league rival against the 7-5 Miners. North Fork flew out of the gate to the rhythm of its home crowd, and took an immediate 10-2 lead. Still, the Cowboys remained calm at the rim, and answered the Miners hot offensive start. At the end of the first quarter, GHS flipped the score and led 13-12.
The Cowboys increased their lead by 2 points in the second quarter. Gomez took control on both sides of the court, finishing plays at the rim and rebounding on defense. But the Miners walked into the locker room still within reach, trailing by just 3 points.
GHS stormed onto the court after the break and finally found separation from North Fork. Three-pointers from seniors Maria Sabas and McDougal fired the Cowboys ahead, and started the 15-point quarter. Junior Ashlyn Cowan and senior Hernandez added key buckets to the score to take a 38-28 lead. The Miners responded in the fourth and put together an 18-point quarter to compete until the very end. Still, the Cowboys fought back, and outscored the Miners 55-46.
Gomez’ 17 points and 13 rebound double-double, alongside 14 points from McDougal were key to the victory. Cowan and Hernandez rounded out the field with 9 points apiece.
The Cowboys put their win streak on the line against North Valley rivals Crested Butte on Jan. 28. Scores were not available by press time. Following a five-game away run, the girls will host Crested Butte on Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m.
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@gunnisontimes.com.)
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