Lady Bulldog ballers on a roll

The Sundance Lady Bulldogs returned from winter break with renewed energy, adding four wins to their record. 

The Sundance team wasted no time as they took a 57-8 victory over the Hulett Lady Red Devils to open the new year. The Bulldog’s offense was firing on all cylinders as ten players found their way into the scoring column throughout the game.

Jaylin Mills led the charge with 15 points, while Jude Crago added 11. On the defensive end, Sundance held the Lady Devils to single digit scoring throughout the game. 

The Lady Bulldogs were on the road Friday and Saturday as they traveled to Shoshoni to participate in the 2A Smackdown. Opening the Smackdown with a strong showing, the Lady Bulldogs took the victory over the host team.

Sundance jumped out to an early lead, out-scoring Shoshoni 16-1 in the first quarter and setting the tone for the game. While Shoshoni fought back, Sundance’s third-quarter explosion of 21 points sealed the 57-33 victory. 

In their second game of the day, Bulldogs faced the always-tough Pine Bluffs Hornets. Scoring proved to be a challenge against the stifling Hornet defense, as no Sundance player was able to reach double digits.

Jaylin Mills and Karly Marchant each scored nine points to lead the effort. Despite mounting a comeback throughout the second half, the Sundance team couldn’t overcome an early deficit, and they fell 53-31 to the Hornets. 

It was a gritty battle against the Burns Broncs on Saturday morning as the Bulldogs clawed their way to a 38-30 victory in a low-scoring game. Sundance dominated the first quarter, out-scoring Burns 18-7, but, as the game progressed, the Bulldogs began to struggle offensively.

The Broncs gained ground within the third quarter, but Mills’ 16-point performance and Hailey Karol’s dominance on the boards helped Sundance maintain their edge to take the 38-30 win. 

The Bulldogs saved the best for last with an overtime thriller against Thermopolis. Both teams traded punches early, with Thermopolis taking a slight, 13-7, edge in the first quarter. Sundance roared back throughout the second, sending the teams into the halftime break with the score tied at 25.

It was a back and forth throughout the second half of the game as the teams traded point for point, ending regulation with a 42-42 tie. With extra minutes on the clock, the Sundance defense stepped up, holding the Bobcats scoreless throughout the overtime period. The Bulldogs offense capitalized on key fouls and were able to outscore Thermopolis in overtime 7-0, securing the 49-42 victory to close out the 2A Smackdown. 

The Lady Bulldogs hope to continue in their winning ways as they host the Harding County Ranchers on Thursday night and the Hill City Rangers on Saturday afternoon. Games will begin with the junior varsity teams Thursday night at 5 p.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. 

Stats

SHS 57, Hulett 8:

Scoring: Mills 15 (2/2 FT, 1/1 3pt), Crago 11 (0/2 FT, 3/ FT), Olson 7 (1/1 3pt), Gill 5 (1/2 FT, 0/1 3pt), K. Marchant 5 (1/2 FT), Neiman 4, Cooney 4, Phillips 3 (1/1 3 pt), Karol 2, Dailey 1 (1/2 FT)

Rebound Leaders: Neiman 4, Olson 2, K. Marchant 2, Mills 2, Henderson 2, Crago 2

Blocks: Olson 1, Dailey 1, K. Marchant 1, Henderson 1, Cooney 1, Crago 1

Steals: Crago 5, Harmon 3, Gill 3

SHS 57, Shoshoni 33:

Scoring: Mills 20 (6/7 FT, 0/2 3pt), Cooney 8, A. Marchant 7 (1/2 FT), K. Marchant 7 (1/1 FT), Neiman 4, Phillips 2, Gill 2, Harmon 2, Crago 2, Karol 2, Olson 1 (1/2 FT)

Rebound Leaders: Mills 7, Crago 2, Gill 2, Dailey 2

Assists: Mills 2, A. Marchant 1, Karol 1

Steal Leaders: Mills 6, K. Marchant 2

Blocks: Karol 3, Neiman 1, Gill1, Mills 2, Harmon 1, Henderson 1

SHS 31, Pine Bluffs 53:

Scoring: Mills 9 (3/8 FT, 2/4 3pt), K. Marchant 9 (5/8 FT), Cooney 6, Karol 4, Gill 2 (0/3 FT), A. Marchant 1 (1/2 FT)

Rebound leaders: Mills 6, Cooney 5, A. Marchant 4

Assists: Mills 1

Steal leaders: Gill 5, K. Marchant 5

Blocks: Karol 3

SHS 38, Burns 30:

Scoring: Mills 16 (4/4 FT, 2/3 3pt), Cooney 7 (1/2 FT), Neiman 5 (3/6 FT), Karol 4 (0/2 FT), K. Marchant 4 (4/4 FT), Crago 2 (0/1 FT)

Rebound leaders: Mills 11, Karol 7

Assists: Mills 1

Steal leaders: Mills 3, Karol 2, Cooney 2, Gill 2

SHS 49, Thermopolis 42:

Scoring: Mills 25 (8/13 FT, 1/1 3pt), A. Marchant 7 (1/1 3pt), Karol 6 (2/2 FT), K. Marchant 4 (2/2FT), Gill 3 (1/6 FT), Phillips 2, Cooney 2

Rebound leaders: Karol 9, Mills 6, K. Marchant 6, A. Marchant 5

Assists: K. Marchant 1, Karol 1

Blocks: Karol 1