ST. STEPHENS – An action-packed weekend for the Big Piney High School Lady Punchers opened with a resounding conference victory against St. Stephens, 59-38, on Feb. 9.

On Saturday, the team boarded the bus to play quadrant rival Wyoming Indian High School (WIHS). WIHS entered the game with an undefeated 5-0 conference record.

The Lady Punchers battled back following a tough first quarter that saw WIHS outscore Big Piney, 16-4, to close WIHS’ lead to a single possession, 26-24, at the end of the third quarter.

WIHS ultimately pulled ahead by several possessions to win, 47-40.

Big Piney’s victory against St. Stephens clinched the No. 2 spot for the Lady Punchers in the 2A Southwest Quadrant as the postseason approaches.

“Our relatively young team is definitely showing improvements,” head coach Brian Espenscheid said.

St. Stephens

The Lady Punchers dominated the first quarter, topping St. Stephens in scoring, 13-4. Juniors Sienna Whiterock and Micah Strong both scored on fastbreaks.

A pair of deep outside shots by sophomore Kodee Greene pulled Big Piney up by 10 points, 28-18, in the second quarter.

The Lady Punchers maintained their momentum into the third quarter. On defense, freshman Jada Banks snagged a steal. Greene netted a trio of 3-pointers, placing Big Piney up by nearly 20 points, 48-29.

Sophomore Lizzy Brandt scored on a fastbreak in the fourth quarter.

“We started a little sluggish against St. Stephens, but ended up okay,” coach Espenscheid said. “It was their senior night, they were excited to go and got the jump on us. We had to pull our socks up, but it went well for us. Kodee Greene had a great day in scoring. Ten of our kids played in the game, allowing our starters to save some of their energy for Saturday.”

Greene led the Lady Punchers in scoring against St. Stephens with 20 points. Strong tallied 11 points, with seven from Banks and six apiece by Brandt and junior Kendra Willoughby. Whiterock contributed five points with two from sophomore Brylie Bailey.

Junior Jolynn Jones dominated on the boards with eight rebounds. Greene, Bailey and junior Chelsea Wright each totaled seven rebounds. Brandt delivered four assists and rustled five steals.

WIHS

WIHS won the first quarter, 16-4.

Undaunted, the Lady Punchers fought to turn the tables in the second quarter, netting 12 points while a solid Big Piney defense held WIHS to only 5 points.

The halftime score favored WIHS by several possessions, 21-16.

Big Piney continued its effort to overtake WIHS in a tough, physical third quarter that saw the Lady Punchers outscore WIHS, 8-5.

WIHS edged up early in the fourth quarter. Big Piney narrowed the gap to two possessions, 45-40, late in the final quarter following free throws by Jones and a close-range shot from Strong.

“I was really proud of the girls against one of the best teams in the conference,” said coach Espenscheid. “(WIHS) was on their home court and it was their senior night – they are an experienced team. We were able to play right with them and the girls played hard throughout the entire game and did a good job handling WIHS’ defensive pressure. Our defense was as good as it’s been this season and we were able to hold WIHS in the 40s.”

Greene and Bailey both posted 14 points against WIHS. Strong tallied six points with three by Jones, two from Wright and a free throw by Brandt. On the boards, Greene tallied seven rebounds and Bailey six. Brandt, Strong and Bailey each snatched three steals and Bailey delivered three assists.