The Green River lady pirates played their first game of the season against the Milford lady Tigers and started out strong scoring the first four points of the game, but when the lady Tigers turned up the heat scoring the next six points on turnovers it set the stage for the rest of the game. Michaela Hughes scored a game high 12 points in the Pirates losing battle where it seemed like there were more turnovers than points for the Pirates.
The lady Pirates entered the fourth quarter having only scored 18 points but found their rhythm midway through the fourth to show signs of life and the ability to take care of the ball on both ends of the court. After a bruising defeat at the hands of the lady Tigers, the lady Pirates righted the ship for their second game of the 1A girls high school basketball preview played at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield. The late night Saturday night game pitted the Pirates against the lady Mustangs of Bryce Valley and right off you could sense that this would be a different game.
Michaela Hughes tipped the ball in favor of the Pirates and with only a few seconds off the game clock, Jamie Johnson worked it down low for a beautiful low post, off the glass, jumper for a quick two points. Like the game against the Tigers, Green River’s scoring would go on a hiatus for most of the first quarter but they played harder defensively and gave up less offensive rebounds. A three ball from guard Feleisha Antillon with only a few ticks remaining sparked the lady Pirates who played a tough second quarter and entered half-time down only six points.
After the break the resurgent Pirates clawed their way back to within four points. However, lukewarm shooting and fast break baskets by the Mustangs brought the lead back to 10 which is where the divide between the two teams hovered around for the remaining minutes of the game.
The lady Pirates had a more balanced offensive attack with Jamie Johnson and ‘Fish’ Antillon leading the way with eight points followed closely by Taylor Johnson with seven points and Michaela Hughes with six points while Sydney Thayn dropped in four points and Kira Engleman contributed three points for a total of 36 points. Not enough to win but enough to see that the gals in green have a desire to compete on the hard wood and to leave nothing on the floor.
Lady Pirates begin their basketball season against Tigers
" Lady Pirates front row (l-r) Kira Engleman, Feleshia Antillon, Hannah Manalilli; Back row (l-r) Taylor Johnson, Jamie Johnson, Michaela Hughes, Mikayla Shaffer, Sydney Thayn, Robin Nelson. The team went to the 1-A preview at the Sevier Valley center over the weekend."