Lady Savage Heat show solid effort on court

by Aimee Miller/Valley Press
| January 29, 2014 9:53 AM

HOT SPRINGS – The Lady Savage Heat played against Two Eagle River and Arlee this past week, experiencing both victory and defeat.

Despite getting into foul trouble, Head Coach Robert Kearney was pleased with the girls’ performance.

“It was a very solid effort,” he said. “We jumped off to a good start and got a comfortable lead by ten points.”

The Lady Savage Heat and the Eagles battled back and forth for the lead. The Hot Springs girls got the early lead but then Two Eagle River fought back and outscored their opponents in the third quarter.

The Lady Savage Heat were down by four points going into the last quarter but then outscored the Eagles 17-6. The final score was 47-40.

Meara Schmiedbauer was the lead scorer with 28 points. Her sister, Laurel Schmiedbauer, had nine assists in addition to her four points. Josey Carr had nine points and 11 rebounds and Alex Green had three points and 13 rebounds.

According to Coach Kearney, the win was an important one because it determined the placement in the upcoming District Tournament.

The Lady Savage Heat faced off against Arlee Saturday night. The final score was 16-53. They struggled due to dwindling numbers.

“We were short-handed,” Coach Kearney said. “We were missing three of our starters: Amanda Woods, Rosa Dolson and Alex Green. We knew it was going to be a tough game.”

Also, Josey Carr suffered a hand injury during the game, the severity of which is still unknown.

“We are crippled with sickness and injuries but some things you do not have control over,” Coach Kearney said. “That is just the way life works so you have to go out there and make the best of the opportunities you do have.”

Coach Kearney and his team still have high spirits as they look forward to the rest of the season.

“Each game is an opportunity to get a little bit better, to learn and grow,” he said. “All I ever ask of the girls is that they keep trying and do the very best they can.”

Next week, both Hot Springs teams will compete against Superior on their home court Friday night. The Lady Savage Heat will then travel to face Seeley-Swan on Saturday.