TMS girls basketball wrap up

Thermopolis Middle School's seventh and eighth grade girls basketball teams had their final games last weekend, with eighth grade attending conference in Powell and seventh playing here.

Seventh grade coach Kent Hessenthaler said his girls played very well, but lost by just three points to Worland in a "barn burner".

Their second game of the day was against Riverton, however, the girls lost that one by five points after leading through most of the game. Hessenthaler said they just seemed to run out of gas in the last half of the last quarter, with Riverton outscoring the girls 6-0.

"We were handicapped by just having seven girls playing the tournament," he said. "One of our girls missed the tournament due to a prior commitment and we missed her a lot.

"Playing against the larger schools with many more players was tough on us. Still, I'm very proud of our girls. They gave 100% effort in both games."

Hessenthaler added that this is an incredible bunch of young ladies with a bright future.

"It's Monday evening and I miss them already," he said. "I feel like I should be at practice right now. Every practice and game this year was a pleasure.

"I commend them and their parents for a great season."

The eighth graders faired better, coming away with a fifth place win. Coach Katie Despain said, "The season overall has been a lot of fun. The girls have been improving from game to game.

"I am excited to watch the girls next year at the high school level. They have a lot of potential and will become even better athletes moving forward.

"I could not have asked for a better bunch of girls to coach this year. I will most certainly miss them next year!"