Girls sail past Merino, Nederland

    With a 12-2 season record, Holyoke girls varsity basketball team heads into the final stretch of the season after two big wins over Merino last Friday, Jan. 26, and Nederland the following day.
    The girls knew Merino was an important one, said coach John Baumgartner. Both teams went into the game undefeated in league standings, and now Holyoke can boast conference wins over Merino, Sedgwick County and Haxtun.
    The final five games of the season all help determine league ranking — Wiggins, Feb. 2; Akron, Feb. 3; Caliche, Feb. 8; Yuma, Feb. 13; and Wray, Feb. 16, the only home game.
    
Holyoke 45, Merino 21
    In Friday’s home matchup, the Lady Dragons beat Merino 45-21.
    Baumgartner said the girls controlled the tempo of the game well and played good both offensively and defensively. Their offense had to adapt when Merino suddenly changed their defense during the game.
    The coach also said it was good to get Kaylee Camblin back on the roster after being out for a concussion.
    Holyoke started off the game a bit slow but still ended the first quarter with an 8-4 advantage over Merino.
    After the second quarter, HHS bumped up its lead to 19-13.
    The game really began to take off in the second half when the Dragons outscored the Rams 13-4 in both third and fourth quarters for the 24-point win.
    Taeryn Trumper led the scoring effort with 15 points, including seven 2s and one for one from the line.
    Grace Dille had 14 rebounds, five assists, four steals and one blocked shot. Trumper also had four steals, and Camblin blocked one shot.

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