CHEYENNE – A high-scoring first quarter led Cheyenne East coach Rusty Horsley to deliver just one message to his team Friday night.
“I told them we were doing a good job on the offensive end but we had to play with more intensity on defense,” he said.
The Lady Thunderbirds responded – in a big way.
They held Casper Natrona County without a field goal for more than two quarters in a 57-47 victory at the Taco John’s Invite.
East outscored the Fillies 28-7 during that stretch – all of Natrona’s points coming from the free-throw line – and held a 46-26 lead going into the fourth quarter. Natrona senior Jaye Johnson ended the drought with a 3-pointer from the right side with 7 minutes, 30 seconds remaining.
“We’re very good defensively but we need to learn to play with more intensity from the start,” Horsley said. “Whenever we play with the right kind of intensity on defense, it helps us loosen up on offense. That’s what happened.”
Early on, the game looked like it was going to be back-and-forth throughout. Natrona held a 19-18 advantage after the teams traded the lead seven times and were tied five more.
But Johnson’s jumper with 25 seconds to play in the first was the Fillies’ last field goal until that fourth-quarter trey.
Sophomore Kaylee McEwan gave East (7-1) the lead for good with a pair of buckets early in the second quarter. The 6-foot-1 post finished with a game-high 21 points.
“I didn’t do anything special, I just went out there and did the best that I could,” McEwan said. “I feel like I’ve got to prove that I can play with anybody and beat anybody. I proved something to myself in this game.”
McEwan has showed steady improvement during her first varsity season, Horsley said.
“She’s finishing everything, is being really strong to the ball and showing good footwork,” he said. “I’m really pleased with her.”
East got 42 of its 57 points from post players. Senior Sierra Stellern added 10 points for the T-Birds, who close out the Taco John’s Invite against Evanston at noon today.
Natrona was led by Johnson, who scored 13 points before suffering a right ankle injury while assisting on a Grace Dubay transition basket with 2:45 remaining.
Junior Kristy Dick added 12 points for the Fillies while senior Amber Johnson had 10.
EAST 57, NATRONA 47
Casper Natrona County…..… 19 0 7 21 – 47
Cheyenne East........................ 18 9 19 11 – 57
Casper Natrona County: Quig 5, Dubay 2, J. Johnson 13, Kelly 3, A. Johnson 10, Dick 12, K. Robertson 2.
Cheyenne East: Mac. Paintner 2, Loken 3, J. Erickson 7, S. Stellern 10, Fagenbush 3, Hondel 0, C. Stellern 5, McEwan 21, Kanzler 6.
Cheyenne East 41, Fort Collins 30
CHEYENNE – The Lady Thunderbirds didn’t have a player score in double figures but had four score at least six points in the 41-30 win over Fort Collins (Colorado) High on Friday morning.
McEwan led East with nine points and seven rebounds. Senior Mackenzie Paintner added seven points and six boards.
“We’re getting good looks but we’re not finishing really well right now,” Horsley said. “The kids’ effort was good and we got good shots. If we ever get those shots to fall, we’ll be really good but we’re struggling with that right now.”
Seniors Katie Loken and Cosette Stellern added eight and six points, respectively.
EAST 41, FORT COLLINS 30
Fort Collins…................ 8 5 9 8 – 30
Cheyenne East….......… 9 8 11 13 – 41
Fort Collins: Fitz 3, Johnson 13, Swenson 1, Lane 2, Williams 8.
Cheyenne East: Mac. Paintner 7, Loken 8, J. Erickson 1, S. Stellern 2, Fagenbush 0, Hondel 2, A. Erickson 2, C. Stellern 6, McEwan 9, Kanzler 4.
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