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Rifle takes two from Huskies

Mike Vidakovich
Vail, CO Colorado
Kara K. Pearson Post Independent
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RIFLE, Colorado ” The outcome was really never in doubt on Saturday afternoon Rifle girls basketball team jumped on Battle Mountain early and often, en route to an easy 54-33 victory.

The win upped the Bears’ record to 10-8 overall and to 7-3 in the 4A Slope League. Rifle head coach Brad Skinner was pleased with the performance of his team, but still sees room for improvement before the state playoffs begin in later this month.

“I’m pleased,” he said. “The kids are working hard. The things we’re working on in practice are happening in the games.”



Despite facing a 33-6 halftime deficit, Battle Mountain wasn’t quite ready to throw in the towel. Senior guard Emily LyBarger, who garnered the game’s scoring honors with 19 points, led a spirited Huskies’ charge which saw the visitors outscore Rifle in the second half.

It was an effort that left Battle Mountain head coach Andrew Schmid wondering what his team could accomplish if it put an entire game of solid play together.

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“I’m disappointed that we can’t seem to put four quarters together,” said the second-year Huskies coach. “Maybe we’re just a little rusty to start things after not having a game on Friday.”

Point guard Chelsea Webb had a nice all-around game and led Rifle in scoring with 12 points.

Boys routed

About the only negative to Saturday’s basketball game with Battle Mountain for the Rifle boys basketball team was the first 40 seconds.

Some careless defensive miscues and a 5-0 deficit forced Bears head coach Chris Lowther to use a quick timeout with less than a minute having expired on the clock.

“I just wanted to remind them about some of Battle Mountain’s shooters and what our game plan was on them,” said Lowther.

It didn’t take the Bears long to right the ship as they upped the tempo and set their usual torrid pace in pounding Battle Mountain, 91-47.

Steady guard Scott Rust led the scoring barrage with 19 points for the Bears, now 11-7 overall and 8-2 in the 4A Slope.

Seniors Kyle Woolley and Ashlin Romero did keep Battle Mountain within shouting distance early on, but when Rifle opened the third quarter with 3-pointers from Keenan Ross and Tyler Rust, the Bears had extended their lead to 44-23.

Both Battle Mountain teams are in Gypsum Friday night to take on Eagle Valley. The girls tip at 6:30 p.m., followed by the boys at 8.


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