A festive "Senior Night" atmosphere and a good crowd made Thursday's Wood River High School girls' basketball finale a special night for seniors Lauren Morgenthaler, Hannah Ward and Tasha Karst.
It was nearly very special because of Wood River's effort on the court. "The girls were real excited about playing tonight," said coach Brent Carnduff, who has announced his resignation effective at the end of the 2007-08 winter campaign.
With 6-3 post Morgenthaler scoring 13 of her game-high 18 points before intermission, the upset-minded Wolverines led 20-14 at halftime over Pocatello. But the Indians (8-11) threw a fierce full-court press at the Wolverines (2-16) after half and pulled out a 45-37 triumph.
The Wolverines committed 17 of their 25 turnovers after the half letting Pocatello back into the game. And the Indians won it at the free throw line, making 15-for-23 in the second half (11-for-17 fourth) compared to Wood River's 9-for-22.
Morgenthaler (12.4 ppg) scored in double figures for the 13th time in 18 games. She added 11 rebounds for another double double. Junior post Sam Engel (9 points, 9 rebounds, 5 stealsl, 2 assists) had an excellent all-around game helping Wood River out-rebound Pocatello 29-16.
Other Hailey contributors were Ward (4 points, 2 boards, 3 steals, 3 assists), Alex Lindbloom (3 points, 3 steals), Taylor Hayes (3 points, 2 rebounds) and Monica Garceau (2 boards). Topping Pocatello was 5-8 junior post Brenna Brigham (15 points, 4 rebounds, 6 steals).
Fourth-seeded Wood River (0-6 league, 1-8 road) traveled to top-seeded and #2-ranked Jerome (19-1, 6-0) Tuesday for a first-round game in the four-team Great Basin Conference West tournament. Jerome trails only unbeaten Bonneville of Idaho Falls (20-0) in the current 4A polls.
Defending State 4A champion Burley (14-6, 4-2), the tourney's second seed, entertained #3-seeded Minico of Rupert (8-11, 2-4) Tuesday night.
If Wood River and Minico lost their first-round games, Minico will entertain Wood River in a loser-out contest Thursday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. on the Rupert hardwoods.
Burley beat Minico 52-38 for last year's Great Basin West title after the Spartans upset #2-seeded Jerome 57-55 in the tournament semi-final.
They haven?t won many games this season, but Wood River High School can be proud of its three senior basketball players, from left, Lauren Morgenthaler, Tasha Karst and Hannah Ward. Very nice girls and solid citizens, the trio paused Thursday night for a group shot during their ?Senior Night? celebration on the Hailey hardwoods. Photo by Jeff Cordes
