The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Travis Baumann, Head Coach wanted to recognize the JV’s efforts “We started the day off with the JV girls playing an excellent game. They passed the ball very well on offense, and played aggressive defense. It was an amazing game to be a part of. It was one of the best games I have witnessed so it truly was amazing to be on the bench with Coach Jurenka to witness it. They were led on both offense and defense by Alex Worral who had a monster game, and it was a foretelling of how she was to play all weekend.”

The Lady Pioneers had a great weekend, going 2-0 this weekend, playing against Cascade and Turner. The Lady Pioneers have a great pressure defense and press that opponents struggle with. After both teams started with turnovers, Jai Baumann got a steal. Both teams struggled initially with a few turnovers, but eventually, both teams settled down and battled back and forth with a great baseline jumper from Jenny Sant and a big board and bucket from Eva Yeadon. Jai also had a couple of rebounds and free throws, but it was a low-scoring 1st quarter with the Lady Pioneers on top 10-6.

The 2nd quarter was back and forth again, with more great plays from Jai to Jenny on an excellent save and score. Jai scored on a 3-pointer, putting the Lady Pioneers up 19-13. Jenny Sant also got a steal and fast-break layup for another two points. After a Cascade 3-pointer, followed by an Eva 3-pointer, the Lady Pioneers went on a bit of a run with an Eva steal, fast break layup, and free throws, putting them up 25-16. Alex Worrall had a nice post move followed by a baseline shot at the buzzer, putting the Lady Pioneers up 29-18 at halftime.

The Lady Pioneers started off the 2nd half just as aggressively as the first. Their ball movement and moving without the ball was difficult for Cascade to guard. The Lady Pioneers continued to have great hustle plays and shots, as well as big rebounds from Keira Galbavy with a 3-pointer, Jai’s steals to Eva’s fast break, Jai’s passes to Keria’s fast break, Eva with two AND1’s, Lainey Terry’s steal, and Eva 3 pointer. Cascade battled and had some great plays, but the Lady Badgers couldn’t handle the Lady Pioneers’ defense and movement on offense. Travis Baumann, Head Coach said, “In the third quarter the girls got going again putting up another 19 points and the defense was stingy holding Cascade to 5 points leading 48-23. In the fourth quarter we subbed frequently and every girl got into the game and got significant minutes, and we put up 10 points to Cascade’s 11.” The Lady Badgers couldn’t keep up while the Lady Pioneers won with a final score of 58-34

The top three scorers were Eva Yeadon with 28 points, Keira Galbavy with 8 points, Jenny Sant with 6 points, and Alex Worrall with 6 points. Jai Bauman had 5 steals and 10 assists

The Lady Pioneers turned around and played the Lady Tornadoes the next night and definitely had some competition with aggressive hard work from the Lady Tornadoes. “We ended up squeaking out a win but it was a dog fight from the get go. Turner is young but played fearless and relentless,” Travis said.

In the 1st quarter, both teams went back and forth, trading buckets and defensive stops. The Lady Pioneers had impressive plays from Keira Galbavy with great post moves, Lainet Terry with some steals and aly-ups, Eva Yeadon with some great jump shots in the middle of the key, Jenny Sant scored on some big free throws, and Alex Worrall had a bucket from a great post move as well. The Lady Pioneers were up after the first stanza 16-15.

The 2nd quarter was more of the same and so much fun to watch. The game’s pace was fast-paced and exciting as both teams dove after loose balls, played hard defense, and scored great points from amazing plays. Lainey and Alex both scored on some free throws, Keira had a nice steal, Keira had a nice board and bucket, and Eva got an AND1, but Turner hung in there and kept the game close. The Lady Pioneers went into halftime up by 2 points with a score of 29-27.

The 2nd half started strong, and the Lady Pioneers were still aggressive on defense. Travis added, “The third quarter was wild and thrilling. We got into some foul trouble and couldn’t maintain our lead.” But the Lady Pioneers did not quit and continued to battle and had some great plays from an Eva baseline jumper, Alex post move, Jai steal, Keira board and bucket, Eva steal, and a Jennt Sant fast break. The Lady Pioneers came back and ended the 3rd quarter with a tie of 44-44.

The last stanza starts with a Jenny pass to Eva, a fast break, and another steal from Eva, followed by a 3-pointer. “In the fourth quarter points were difficult to come by for both teams. Again we were in foul trouble and had to use our bench.” The Lady Tornadoes also did well, especially at crashing the boards and keeping themselves in the game. “We were able to put up 13 points and hold Turner to 8 in the quarter giving us the 57-52 victory and our first conference win of the young season. Keira Galbavy had a great game on both ends of the court, while Eva Yeadon led the way in points for the fourth consecutive game. Alex Worral had another good game and Jenny Sant had her best scoring game of the season.”

The top three scorers were Eva Yeadon with 21 points, Keira Galbavy with 14 points, and Jenny Sant with 9 points.

On Thursday we will host DGSG (Denton-Geyser-Stanford-Geraldine) at 6:00 PM. On Friday we will head to Chester for our second conference game. We have really enjoyed the community support at the games and hope you continue to show up and Happy Holidays from the Lady Pioneers