The 2014-15 basketball season came to an abrupt close for the Lady Pirates of Green River High School last week with a heartbreaking 31-28 loss to Intermountain Christian at the 1-A Utah State tournament at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield. On the day before the Lady Pirates lost to Rich High in the opening round by the score of 54-41.
In the third quarter, Green River built a lead of 25-18 and things looked good for the Pirates to win the game and play another day. Unfortunately from this point to the end of the game, the Pirates were not able to do much offensively.
With 4:45 left in the fourth quarter, Intermountain Christian scored seven straight points and tied the score at 25-25. Twenty seconds later, ICS scored again and the Pirates were down 27-25. Presley Lovato scored Green River’s first point of the fourth quarter at the midway point as she made a free throw.
With 1:07 left in the game, Kira Engleman went to the free throw line and made one of two free throws and tied the score at 27-27.
ICS scored two points to go ahead with :40 left on the game clock but Green River refused to quit and led 29-27. With :28 on the clock, Engleman was fouled and went to the line again. Kira made the first shot but missed the second and the Pirates were still down by one. ICS made two more points but the Lady Pirates were only able to score three points in the final quarter and they lost the game.
Intermountain Christian led 12-8 after the first quarter but Green River led 18-16 at the half after they won the second period 10-4. ICS won the third quarter 8-7 and the final quarter 7-3 to secure the win.
Maribel Escalante led the team in scoring with 7 points and Presley Lovato and Savannah Williams each scored 6 points. Cassidee Moore scored 5 points and Engleman had the final 4 points scored by Green River.
In the opening game against Rich, the Rebels outscored the Pirates 16-8 in the first quarter and 12-3 in the second period and led 28-11 at the half. From there the game stayed even until the final buzzer. Escalante scored 16 points in this game to lead the Pirate scorers and Engleman scored 13 points to also finish in double figures. Lovato scored 8 points, Miranda Johnson scored 2 points and Williams and Moore each scored 1 point. The Green River boys’ team closes out the region season this Thursday with a game against Monticello at home. This game will determine the region champion. Monticello is currently 7-0 in region while Green River is 6-1 with the loss coming in Monticello several weeks ago. The boys will begin state play in Richfield next week.
Lady Pirates finish season at state tourney in Richfield
"Lady Pirates finish their season with two games in Richfield. Players include: Daniela Mendez Justice Hatfield, Autmn Gardner, Cassidee Moore, Savannah Williams, Cassidy Bastian, Presley Lovato, Maribel Escalante; front: Miranda Johnson, Virdiana Martinez and Kira Engleman."