The Lady Thunderbolt basketball team split a pair of games last week and moved their record to 3-12 overall and 2-8 in conference play. They are currently in 11th place of the 15 team Tri Peaks 3A-4A League.
Against James Irwin on the road on January 29th, Rye fell to a first quarter deficit of 10-2. By halftime they closed the gap to 2 points but lost the third quarter 6-1. Trailing 25-18 going into the final stanza Rye outscored the home team 19-8 for a come from behind 37-33 victory.
Abrianna Chianelli scored 13 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and had seven steals to her credit. Lacie Laca grabbed 11 rebounds, had four steals, and blocked a shot and Taci Ehrlich score nine points in the victory.
Rye shot 18% from the field and 32% from the free throw line.
“ The girls are really starting to play well,” shared Head Coach Tom Blackhurst. “After playing all the top teams in the state over the last few weeks, we have gotten a lot stronger with their ball handling and are shooting the ball a lot more confidently. Additionally, our defense has gotten a lot better, and we have been able to outrebound five of the last six teams we played.
On February 2, on the road, at Ellicott, Rye came up a little short. Rye led 10-5 at the half but a tough third quarter saw Ellicott take a 23-17 lead into the final quarter. Rye beat them 6-4 in that final quarter but it wasn’t enough to pick up a second win in a row.
Laca had 10 points and 13 rebounds. Campbell Maloof had five points and three steals. Ehrlich had three assists and six steals and Averi Velez had eight rebounds.
Rye shot 17% from the field and 41% from the free throw line.
“We came up a little short versus Ellicott,” shared Blackhurst. “But the girls are hungry for more. We are looking to play well against a really tough St Mary's team Thursday and feel like we can get a win vs Manitou Springs on Saturday.”
St. Mary’s is 10-3 and currently ranked #7 in 3A. Manitou is 6-11 and ranked #30 in 4A.
