Rangers gain experience with new opponent

Shooting the Ball — Sayge Wooldridge takes a shot against the Newell Lady Irrigators as Codee Sagdalen looks on. [Submitted Photo]

By Shawn Woodward

The Rangers girls basketball team had a tough week playing three games against some quality opponents. On Tuesday, Jan. 17, the Rangers were defeated by Newell, 65 – 57, at home. In a back and forth game throughout, the Irrigators were able to pull away in the final minutes.
Kendra McLaughlin led the Rangers with 14 points, followed by Dru Gylten and Kala McDonald each scoring 12 points. McLaughlin also led the team with six rebounds. The girls did a great job of taking care of the basketball as they committed only 12 turnovers while dishing out 14 assists. McDonald led the team with six assists followed by Gylten’s five.
The Rangers found their winning ways on Friday, defeating Sundance 50 – 29. McDonald had 14 steals which she converted into 24 points, leading all scorers. McLaughlin added 10 points as all the Rangers got playing time. McLaughlin also had 11 rebounds followed by Allie Henderson’s seven boards. The girls really dominated this game taking a 27 – 12 first half lead and extending it to 42 – 18 at the end of three quarters.
On Saturday, the Rangers played one of the newest BHC members in Spearfish, losing 64 – 39. McLaughlin again had a big game, scoring 22 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Unfortunately, too many turnovers and mental mistakes led to the Spartans pulling away. The Rangers committed 35 turnovers, which led to many easy baskets for the Spartans.
The JV girls also competed in the same three games. The JV were defeated by Newell 47 – 43 with Codee Sagdalen leading the way with 13 points. Against Sundance, the JV girls were able to run away with a 37 – 24 win. Gylten led the way with nine points as nine different Rangers scored. Finally on Saturday, the Rangers were defeated by Spearfish 42 – 50.
“The girls really played well, but just could not catch up as we fell behind by eight points at half and could not gain enough ground,” Woodward said.
Gylten led the way with 15 points, followed by Mikahla Ferguson’s 12 points.
“Although the girls lost, it was one of their better games they have played this year against a very quality opponent,” Woodward said.
The JV record now stands at 7 – 7.
The varsity now has a record of 9 – 6 with only one game scheduled this week. Hill City hosts Hot Springs on Friday, Jan. 27, in a boys and girls doubleheader. The JV girls and JV boys start at 4 p.m. with girls varsity 5:45 and boys varsity 7:15.