FAST OUT OF THE GATE

Lady Buffs win their first two conference games

The Greybull Lady Buffs basketball team is off to a strong start in conference play, racking up two big wins over the weekend. 

The Buffs traveled to Cowley on Friday to face the Grizzles and jumped to an early lead, ending the first half ahead 28-9. Coach Jeff Hunt noted the Buffs’ game plan panned out well, with a season-low 11 turnovers and over 20 deflections that “made [Rocky] miserable the entire game.” While the Grizzlies were busy trying to shut down Perla Rodriguez, the rest of the team picked up the slack and took over scoring. 

“This was our best game of the season as a team.  Every player was great in this game,” Coach Hunt said. 

Shayne Cheatham and Marlee Henson each put up 12 points for the Buffs. Sherlyn Diaz-Rios and Henson were strong on defense; Diaz-Rios finished with six rebounds, five steals and five deflections while Henson added four steals and eight deflections. Brooklyn Allen and Rodriguez each notched eight rebounds, despite a triple team guarding Rodriguez the entire game. The Buffs came away with a 44-24 win. 

Greybull rolled their Friday success into a win over Thermopolis on Saturday in Buff Gym. 

“They are a tough team and have the returning player of the year from our conference,” Coach Hunt said. “We knew they would come out ready to play coming off a 30-point win over Shoshoni.”

It was a slow start for the Buffs, and Thermop took an 11-point lead. Greybull closed that lead to four by halftime, and after some adjustments to their defense, overtook the Bobcats in the first three minutes of the third quarter, winning 65-51. 

“We shot really well and just played so well together.  We are finally clicking as a team and doing so many things well together,” Coach Hunt said. 

Henson led the Buffs with 15 points, going 5-6 in free throws and scoring on several of her team-leading six steals. Rodriguez came away with a double-double: 13 points and 14 rebounds. Coach Hunt noted the Buffs had 40 rebounds for the game, with Diaz-Rios and Allen finishing with nine and eight, respectively. Cheatham sank 3-of-6 3-pointers and Caitlyn Hunt notched 11 points. 

“It was a great weekend for the Lady Buffs,” Coach Hunt said. 

Tuesday after press time, the Buffs host Burlington for their Pink Game. Friday, they travel to Shoshoni with games at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Coach Hunt noted that should be a tough match, with Shoshoni shooting strong on their home court. Saturday Greybull is home, playing Tongue River at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. in Buff Gym. 

“Hopefully we can get three good wins and keep on a win streak,” Coach Hunt said. 

Greybull 14 14 12 4 -- 44

Rocky Mt.   5   4   8 7 – 24

GREYBULL – Shayne Cheatham 5 0-4 12, Marlee Henson 6 0-0 12, Sherlyn Diaz-Rios 3 1-2 7, Brooklyn Allen 3 1-4 7, Perla Rodriguez 1 1-2 3, Caitlyn Hunt 1 0-2 3. Totals 19-of-57, 3-of-14, 44. 

3-POINT GOALS – Cheatham 2, Hunt. REBOUNDS – Greybull 34 (Allen, Perla Rodriguez 8). STEALS – Greybull 16 (Diaz-Rios 5). ASSISTS – Greybull 8 (Henson 3). TURNOVERS – Greybull 11. 

Greybull 10 11 25 19 – 65  

Thermopolis 16   9   9 17 – 51

GREYBULL – Henson 5 5-6 15, Rodriguez 6 1-2 13, Hunt 4 1-2 11, Cheatham 3 0-0 9, Allen 4 0-3 8, Diaz-Rios 2 1-2 5, Reagan Vigil 1 1-2 4. Totals 25-of-66, 9-of-17, 65. 

3-POINT GOALS – Cheatham 3, Hunt 2. REBOUNDS – Greybull 40 (Rodriguez 14). STEALS – Greybull 18 (Henson 6). ASSISTS – Greybull 12 (Henson 3). TURNOVERS – Greybull 18.