It's been a struggle on offense for the Wood River High School girls' varsity basketball team this season, in large part because Hailey's ballhanding can't keep up with the full-court presses other teams keep using.
That doesn't mean the Wolverines aren't improving. Coach Brent Carnduff's girls know they are going to see the press and the trap. And Mountain Home threw the works at the Wolverines Tuesday in Hailey.
Wood River responded well, its guards finding the forwards who checked back to receive passes at midcourt. "We attacked the middle of the press and probably made more layups than we've made for three years," said Carnduff afterward.
Mountain Home prevailed 45-39 in the 4A non-conference contest, but it was only because of a 16-6 run in the second quarter when the Wolverines had a letdown and committed 11 of their 35 turnovers. Otherwise, the two teams played evenly.
"Our zone defense has improved," said Carnduff, whose squad lost by 20 at Mountain Home Nov. 17. This time, Wood River out-pointed the Tigers 22-21 in the second half.
Wood River (3-8, 0-2 league) scored its most points since a 40-38 home victory over Challis Nov. 16. Seven different Wolverines scored. Mountain Home (4-7) also had scoring balance with 10 different scorers topped by 6-0 junior post Emily Moranda (19 points, 3 steals).
Hailey junior post Lauren Morgenthaler (4 rebounds, 2 steals) scored 10 of her team-high 12 points in the second half. Senior guard Kristen Miniard (11 points) drilled three 3-pointers and senior Casey Vegwert (3 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals) was active all around the floor.
Finding the open teammate with nice passes, junior wing Hannah Ward (6 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals, 6 assists) had a particularly good all-around effort for Wood River. Jordan Scanlon and Sam Engel (2 points, 2 boards, 2 assists each) and Alex Lindbloom (3 points) also helped out.
The Wolverines hosted Great Basin Conference West opponent Jerome (8-3, 1-1) Thursday night and will take a breather until traveling to Rupert for a league game against the Minico Spartans Jan. 4.
