The Lady Wranglers traveled

to compete in their first regular games of the

season at the Lovell Tournament on Dec. 7-8.

Pinedale scored two victories against Lovell

and Worland, but lost a close third game to

Powell.

Head Coach Mike Davis said the season is

off to a good start.

“Overall, I’m really pleased with how the

girls played,” he said. “A 2-1 record was a

good way to start the season. We traveled

seven hours to compete and played in other

people’s territory, so two wins is a good sign.”

Sophomore Kialee Hansen scored 19

points in the first game, including four 3-point

field goals. Sullivan returned to the court this

season after a series of injuries last year.

“Hansen has really stepped up on the varsity

team,” Davis said. “She’s been working

hard on her perimeter game.”

I’m really glad to see junior Molly Sullivan

come back,” Davis said. “She played extremely

well for us this weekend.”

The Wranglers trounced Lovell in the first

game on Friday afternoon. The team's field

goal percentage stood at an impressive .528,

more than twice as high as Lovell’s field goal

percentage of .259.

The Wranglers kept the momentum strong

during all four quarters, but really brought

their A-game to the second quarter, scoring

an “unprecedented” 26 points, Davis said.

Hansen led the charge with four 3-point

field goals. Junior Maggie Majhanovich and

sophomore Alaine Liserio dropped in double

2-point field goals in the second quarter. Sullivan,

sophomore Grace Davis and junior Nora

Legerski each scored a 2-point field goal to

round the score up before halftime.

Lovell trailed further behind until the final

buzzer ended the game in a 71-48 victory for

Pinedale. Hansen and Sullivan led the team in

scoring with 13 points, followed by Majhanovich

with 11, Legerski with 10, Davis at 9

and Liserio at 4.

Majhanovich dominated with seven assists

and eight turnovers in the first game. Majhanovich

and Sullivan led the team in defensive

rebounds with three each. Legerski and Davis

both grabbed three steals from their opponents.

“We had four of five starters in double

scoring, and had 21 assists in the first game,”

Davis said. “This is indicative of what we’re

trying to do – keep the ball running.”

On Saturday morning, Pinedale took on the

Worland Warriors. The Lady Wranglers managed

to up their field-goal percentage in the

second game to .562, well ahead of Worland

at .275.

The Warriors put up a strong fight, and the

final score was a narrower victory for Pinedale

at 42-37.

“Worland is a state tournament team that

we didn’t see last year,” Davis said. “But we

stayed in control of the game and made some

late baskets.”

Legerski led scoring in the second game

with six 2-point field goals. Majhanovich

dropped four 2-pointers into the net, followed

by three from Sullivan and two from Davis.

Hansen got in another 3-pointer against the

Warriors. Freshman Roxanne Rogers scored

a 2-point field goal and three successful free

throws.

Davis and Majhanovich led the team in assists

with three each. Davis, Majhanovich and

Sullivan all managed three steals, followed by

Rogers at two. Hansen and Sullivan stepped

up on defense with six defensive rebounds

each.

On Saturday, Pinedale challenged the Powell

Panthers on the court. The game was close,

with Powell winning by only four plays. The

final score stood at 29-21.

The Wranglers actually had a higher field

goal percentage at the end of the game than

Powell. But the Panthers slid into the lead

with a series of successful 3-point field goals

led by Katie McKenzie.

“Powell is a 3A perennial powerhouse

with seven seniors on the team,” Davis said.

“Those seven seniors out-executed our young

team. We didn’t have our legs under us yet.”

Rogers led team scoring in the final game,

with one 3-point field goal, one 2-point

field goal and three successful free throws.

Legerski and Sullivan both scored six points.

Hansen led assists with four.

Majhanovich, Sullivan and Hansen stepped

up on defense. Majhanovich pulled out two

steals and four defensive rebounds. Sullivan

grabbed one steal and four defensive rebounds.

Hansen had a steal and six defensive

rebounds.

This weekend, the Lady Wranglers travel

south to compete at the Flaming Gorge Classic

Tournament in Green River on Dec. 13-15.

“We have a Herculean task ahead of us at

Green River,” Davis said. “We have to play

four 4A schools. We really have to take care

of the ball and play solid basketball all four

quarters to be competitive. But we’re training

in the right direction.”

The action for the Lady Wranglers starts

on Thursday, Dec. 13, with an away game

against Green River at 1 p.m. n