Step In The Right Direction: Girls net regional victory, fall one shy of making it to State

     Since the opening tip off back in December, the Glenrock High School girls basketball team has kept the same goal that all 16 teams in 3A have – making it to the State tournament.       

     For that to happen for the second time in 16 years, the Herders needed to manufacture two wins March 6-8 at the 3A East Regional Championships. 

The Converse County girls got closer than they have in recent years by adding a regional victory to their season record. However, they fell short in pursuing one more successful outcome before the season ended over the weekend in Buffalo. 

Glenrock, which ended with a 12-13 overall record and the second most wins in a season since 2009, played all three days at finals. The group fell short against Douglas and Burns but remained alive in the tourney thanks to a crucial 49-46 win over Newcastle. 

The Herders, who made significant gains this year, used that confidence to keep things close before ending the Dogies’ season. That started with a near-perfect start when junior Taitum Helmey scored on a nice pass from senior Kiley Smith, sophomore Bailey Cornella scored twice in leading the team to a quick 8-2 advantage. 

Newcastle returned the favor thanks to a pair of turnovers to score six straight and even things at 8-8. Freshman Marly Haskell, who had a good first regionals, stopped NHS just in time with a free throw. 

Glenrock missed its next six shots but the defense saved the day by holding NHS scoreless   during that struggle. The squad used a late bucket by junior Sheridan Sarvey to carry a 12-8 lead into the second quarter.

The shooting woes continued into the second where the Herders missed their first five attempts, most within five feet of the bucket as the rims were not kind. However, the defense continued to smother Newcastle and didn’t give up much, as the two teams slowly tied the score at 13-13.

Glenrock again got a timely basket to not fall behind, this time it was Sarvey converting on offensive rebound into points. That was the highlight as GHS managed just seven points in the second period but only trailed 19-17 at halftime. 

A pep talk by coaching staff during the break helped get the team back on track – the girls did the rest of the work. The group fell behind by eight when Smith and Cornella scored consecutive baskets to steal the momentum. 

Senior Caitilyn Williams was hit while scoring a bucket, Sarvey scored inside the lane and Helmey swished a three pointer from the top of the key. 

Unfortunately, the Dogies found their shooting touch as well and scored late to lead 38-31 going into the fourth.

The Herders never quit and they were not about to with a chance to advance at regionals. Sarvey put in another offensive rebound and buried four straight free throws to get within three at 44-41 with three minutes left in the contest. 

Newcastle called time out but it didn’t faze Glenrock. Sarvey scored in transition on a perfect  half-court heave from Williams to make it a one point game with 2:48 on the clock.

The defense continued to lock down the Dogies as Sarvey had a block, Smith and Williams caused turnovers and Cornella had a steal. That paved the way for GHS to take a 45-44 lead on a lay up via Cornella. 

The Herders forced a pair of scoreless possessions to have a chance to win. Smith hit a free throw, Haskell helped cause a turnover and Sarvey blocked another shot and scored on that possession with 26 seconds left to go up 48-44. Smith had a steal in the final seconds to secure victory.

Glenrock wasn’t as fortunate its other two contests. They kept things close with Douglas all four quarters but fell short 38-26.

The Herders moved on to face Newcastle where they swished their victory. That put the team in a must-win battle with Buffalo but couldn’t slow down the Bison on their home court in a 62-43 decision.