Back To Work: State-ranked girls hoops enjoy success start to 2026 at Rawlins tourney

If there was any doubt that the first two weeks of the season were a fluke, the Glenrock High School girls basketball team proved it was not. The squad tipped off the new year with another victory and were just one bucket away from another upset in the first action of the new year Jan. 9-10 at the Girls Winter Classic in Rawlins.

Glenrock, ranked No. 7 in the state for the first time since returning to 3A, scored its victory on opening night in Carbon County. The squad started slow but finished with authority in dismantling Mountain View 58-37.

“A big positive from this weekend was the girls’ will to win and compete. They are always up for a challenge and never give up. This tournament proved that they are relevant and that we are continuing to make progress in the areas we have emphasized,” head coach James Sarvey said. “Rebounding has been a weakness for us at times, and the girls fully accepted that challenge this weekend, out-rebounding our opponents by a margin of plus-seven. That effort and development was truly outstanding.”

Buffalo’s only advantage was most of the opening period, beginning with scoring the first two buckets to go up 4-0. GHS got on the scoreboard thanks to a three pointer from junior Kiley Smith, and soon after junior Taitum Helmey dribbled the length of the court for a lay up and to get within two at 7-5.

Mountain View went back up by four immediately – the final lead it enjoyed. Senior Caitilyn Williams converted a traditional thee-point play just before sophomore Bailey Cornella swished her first three pointer to give GHS its first lead at 11-8 with 52 seconds left in the first quarter.

The Buffs knocked in a buzzer beater to even the score at 11 apiece going into the second stanza. That’s where Glenrock took the lead for good starting with junior Sheridan Sarvey scoring off an offensive rebound.

Sarvey’s bucket changed everything as it was the first points of a 15-2 run. That momentum swing was led by a stingy defensive stand led by senior Emma Seestie, Williams, Helmey and Cornella which held MHS scoreless for nearly six of the eight minutes.

Meanwhile, Helmey scored a left-handed lay up, Sarvey buried both a three pointer and lay up, and Williams was physical in the paint and scored off an offensive rebound to grow the lead to 26-13.

Mountain View didn’t score again until there was 1:22 left in the half. The group managed a short run of its own but Cornella buried a three pointer to protect a double-digit lead at intermission, 29-19.

The tenacious Glenrock press defense limited MVHS to just 19 points combined in the second half. That set the stage for a big finish which started with Sarvey scoring the first five points of the third period via another trey and an offensive put back.

“We have some of the best practices of the season, largely because our senior leaders have created a culture where competing and challenging each other is expected. The girls are having fun, playing with confidence and completely invested in playing for each other,” the coach said.

“Their motto this year is to ‘Play for past Herders, current teammates and those coming up behind them.' The community is seeing a program that plays hard, together and with pride.”

The Buffs managed a brief 7-2 run to get back within 11. However, GHS held Mountain View scoreless for the last three minutes of the third quarter.
The Herders turned that defensive pressure into a late push. That effort put the game out of reach by scoring the last seven points, five of which came from Williams to make it 47-29 going into the fourth.

Glenrock applied more smothering defense in the final period to hold MVHS to a game-low eight points. At the other end of the court, Cornella, Sarvey, Seestie and Helmey accounted for the final 11 points to seal the deal.

The Herders were denied in the final two games – barely. They led Lyman for a bulk of the game before a late surge allowed the Eagles to pull ahead just in time for a 47-45 decision. GHS’ toughest  test was against No. 2 Lander which beat Douglas by 18 the prior day and got by the Herders 57-38.
 

Glenrock will have a chance prep for the most important part of the schedule next month by playing just one game this week. They will travel Jan. 17 for a 4:30 p.m. clash in Torrington.

“We need to make better basketball decisions and cut down on turnovers. We score a lot of points, but if we take better care of the ball, especially in the half court, that number could be even higher. We need to value our possessions and limit bad decisions. If we do, we will be tough to stop,” the coach said. “3A basketball this year may be as tough as it’s ever been from top to bottom. Outside of Lander and Cody, there aren’t many dominant teams, but there also aren’t many weak ones. Every night will be a challenge.

“That said, our girls are ready for it. They understand that willpower, effort and competitiveness matter most. We are not going to be a pushover, and we’re excited about the opportunity to beat teams we haven’t beaten in a long time.”