Lady Broncos stun the Rockets

By Sandy Anderberg

The Lady Broncos put together four great quarters of basketball last Friday night in Wellington and upset them, 47-43.

The Lady Rockets jumped to the early lead in the first quarter by three, but only led by two at the break. That gap remained after three, but the Lady Broncos had grabbed the momentum and were able to set the tempo of the game going into the final period of play.

The Lady Broncos overtook their opponent in the fourth quarter and were stellar from the bonus line hitting seven out of eight. Brianna Butler was perfect from the bonus stripe hitting four out of four in the fourth quarter and making good on six in the game. Hannah Hommel hit three out of four in the fourth to help her team.

Coach Korey Conkin coached a laid-back attitude in preparing for the Lady Rockets.

“We went in with the attitude of just playing hard and having fun with no pressure and it worked,” Conkin said. “We play the most amazing defense and handled their full court man to man pressure with ease. It was an all-around great game of the Lady Broncos. (It is) so extremely emotional and exciting.”

Butler led on the board with 19 and Shaelyn Owiti helped with 16 that included three three-pointers. Berkeley Alexander finished with six points and Jensen Hatley and Hommel each had three.

The Lady Broncos had another win against Wheeler that same week at 45-41. They trailed until the end of the final quarter but worked hard to rally back and were rewarded with a huge win.

Clarendon was able to pick up the pace in the final eight minutes and made crucial shots. Butler nailed two three-pointers and hit five out of seven free throws to help her team. Hatley hit a three as well and Briley Chadwick went 50 percent from the bonus line.

Butler finished with 17, Owiti had eight, Hannah Howard put in seven, Chadwick five, Hatley and Alexander three, and Hommel two.

The ladies will travel to Claude on Friday, January 20, and play at 6:30 before hosting Memphis at home on January 24.