After starting the season with 21-point and 30-point losses to a pair of returning state tournament teams, the Wood River High School girls' varsity basketball team started running its offense a little better in Friday night's 49-34 home loss to Mountain Home.
Senior Lauren Morgenthaler (a game-high 16 points) got the ball down low and made some strong post moves to the basket for the Wolverines (0-3). The passing of freshman point guard Taylor Hayes and senior Hannah Ward helped get the inside game in gear.
Coach Brent Carnduff, still not satisfied with the number of turnovers, said, "We have a lot of new faces, but we really need to be better on the boards and pound the ball inside. That's our game. We just need to take care of the basketball.
"But our defense started communicating better in the second half."
Wood River, trailing 23-12 at intermission, scored 12 points in the third quarter and another 10 in the fourth. Morgenthaler tallied 13 of her 16 points after the half. The Wolverines also went to the free throw line 25 times and made 14.
Other Hailey point-getters were Samantha Engel 5 points (5-for-8 free throws), Monica Garceau 4, Hayes 2, Hanna Gustafson 2, Ward 2, Allie Freund 2 and Alex Lindbloom 1. Mountain Home senior posts Emily Moranda and Chantell Crane scored 13 points apiece.
Wood River came off its encouraging performance against Mountain Home and had to play top-ranked Idaho 3A school Kimberly (4-0) Tuesday in another non-conference contest on the Hailey hardwoods.
Coach Rich Bishop's Kimberly squad scored 50 points or more in season opening wins over Valley, American Falls and Shoshone. The Bulldogs are doubly motivated because of what happened last season—starting 19-0 before being upset by Filer and Declo in the Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference tournament.
Wood River visits Mountain Home next Monday, Nov. 26.
Cutthroat girls debut at Hansen
Coach Ryan Waterfield's Community School Cutthroat girls opened their season Saturday with a 55-33 non-conference loss at Hansen.
Senior Jessie Curran (14 points including two 3-pointers) led the Cutthroats. Emily Eshman added 8 points, Erica Eshman 4, Caroline Fairchild 3, Natalie Goddard 2 and Jean Montgomery 2.
The Cutthroats (0-1) hosted Lighthouse Christian Tuesday.
