TMS girls basketball team undefeated

While the focus this fall has been upon all of the athletic prowess of the high school teams – all of whom had excellent seasons this year – the Thermopolis Middle School “A” girls basketball team has quietly put in an undefeated season.

The team is coached by assistant head coach, TJ Owsley, and is composed of eight eighth graders, and two seventh graders. The girls have played together for three years, and have gained a level of skill and determination that one usually looks for at the high school level.

Head coach, Ashley Cleare, views the team as very well coached and recently commented, “When you see them play together, you can really see how much they love the game, and how determined they are to win.”

With just one game remaining in the regular season, the A team is has gone 12–0 in the standings since the season began on October 25.

Since then, the team has put up wins against Greybull, Rocky Mountain, Worland, Burlington, Meeteetse, Shoshoni, Riverside, Riverton, Lander, Lovell, Greybull and Rocky Mountain.

Last week, on November 26 the A team was at home against Burlington, and came away with win number 13 – putting up 41 points, while holding Burlington to just 10 points on the night.

Watching the A team in action, it is clear they are, indeed, well coached. The girls work very well together – fighting for rebounds, getting quickly to a loose ball, showing good passing and shooting skills, and moving rapidly to aid any teammate who is being pressed by an opponent.

The girls are quick on the court, and give the opposing team real fits on the fast break. When you add to that, the unhesitant attempt – and drain – of a shot from beyond the arc by eighth grader, Mackenzie Buckner, it is readily apparent that this team is really put together.

The team will play their last regular season game at home against Worland on Thursday, December 5, at 4:15 p.m. Conference play is set to commence on Saturday, December 7 at Rocky Mountain.

This will be your last chance to see this amazing team in action at home this year, so if you can, make sure you are in the stands on Thursday afternoon to cheer on a remarkable team, looking to complete an undefeated regular season. And, as you observe their athletic skill against Worland, you can begin to formulate your bet on how many of these fine players will hit the JV and varsity teams, as next year’s high school freshman.