Lady Savage Heat look forward after tough week

HOT SPRINGS – The Lady Savage Heat suffered a loss on their home turf against Seeley-Swan Saturday night. Seeley took off in the second half making the final score 16-56.

Head Coach Robert Kearney knew this would be a difficult match-up for the Lady Savage Heat because Seeley-Swan is a good team. The game was also difficult because Hot Springs was missing some girls.

Players Rosa Dolson and Amanda Locker were out for medical reasons. This meant the other ladies had to try and compensate for the loss which proved difficult.

“They girls were exhausted and they started making mistakes that cost us,” Coach Kearney said.

The Lady Savage Heat received several traveling calls. They had many turnovers as well. Despite this, the ladies kept fighting.

“I am pleased that the girls do not give up and they keep working hard,” Coach Kearney said.

The Lady Savage Heat were out-played Saturday night. When that happens there is only one thing to do according to Coach Kearney.

“Seeley-Swan is one of the best Class C teams. When you play a team that is better than you all you can do is go out there and try your best,” he said.

All of the girls tried but Coach Kearney mentioned a couple that stood out.

“I think our inside game with Josie Carr and Alex Green continued to play well,” he said. “Laurel Schmiedbauer led the team in rebounds and that is the first time this year she has done that.”

Coach Kearney was also pleased that some of his green players got to take the court.

“Because of the injuries I had to bring in very inexperienced people,” he said. “They all got minutes which is a good thing because it will aid them later on. It is always good to see someone step up.”

Some good came from Saturday’s game but Coach Kearney knows the Lady Savage Heat have room for improvement.

“We have to overcome our inability to stay consistent through the whole game,” he said. “We have to play better defensively and eliminate turnovers.”

Coach Kearney also has a long-term plan for improvement.

“We need to improve offensively and that takes time and effort so that is what we are hoping to do as time passes,” he said. “Coaches are never totally happy because there is always something to improve on.”

The Hot Springs girls competed against Superior last week as well. They lost with a final score of 31-55. Coach Kearney blames this loss on lack of focus among the girls. This was their first game back from break.

The Lady Savage Heat will compete against Noxon Friday night. The ladies beat Noxon earlier in the season, but Coach Kearney said they will have to be ready. He is sure the Lady Red Devils have improved since their last meeting.

On Saturday night the Lady Savage Heat face off against the Plains Trotters in Hot Springs. Coach Kearney believes this will be a very tough game for them.

“Plains is a very good Class B school and they might be the best team we have played all year,” he said.

Despite the tough week ahead, Coach Kearney remains hopeful.

“We will get better and our one desire is to fight from the start to the finish,” he said.