Toughest challengers yet overwhelm Lady Bighorns

The Lady Bighorns faced their toughest competition this season over the weekend dropping games at Smith Valley and Silver Stage.

Both games came away as losses, with Silver Stage winning 54-24 and Smith Valley winning 49-31. Oasis coach Dusty Casey said both teams are established, experienced teams who took advantage of the younger team’s inexperience.

Smith Valley took the lead from the start on Friday. The Lady Bulldogs took a six-point lead in the first quarter, then ended the half 26-11. With the game out of reach, the Lady Bighorns played a strong fourth quarter cutting the Bighorns’ lead to 18.

Casey said Oasis missed a number of open layups. He said they also struggled rebounding.

“We compounded that problem by giving up 18 points in easy transition baskets and second chance points,” Casey said.

Saturday’s game against the Lady Nighthawks was another runaway first half. Silver Stage pulled ahead to a 32-9 lead by halftime.

Casey said Silver Stage is a team of strong shooters that is compliminted with a strong defense.

He said the Lady Bighorns cleaned up their own transition defense, but still missed a mumber of layups.

Sadie O’Flaherty led Oasis in scoring, contributing 20 points over both games. Brooklyn Whitaker was another strong shooter, adding 13 points. Janelle Pike scored seven points; Taryn Barrenchia scored three; Emma Robinson two; Mariah Snooks four; Savannah Robinson two; and Sequoia Casey four.

Overall, Casey said he’s pleased with the team’s defensive toughness and ability to get quality shots.

While there still are areas to work on, the coach said he’s happy with the Oasis team’s improvement.

“Shooting and mental lapses are hurting us right now, which is simply a lack of experience and repetitions,” Casey said.

The Lady Bighorns play Reno’s Coral Academy of Science tonight at home for the second half of the Battle for the Ore Cart; the game starts at 5 p.m. Oasis travels to Eureka on Saturday for a game at 4 p.m.