Arlee splits

A Scarlets team struggling for most of the season found a little success with a strong 69-20 win over Lincoln after another big loss this past weekend.

At home on Friday, Arlee faced the familiar feelings of struggle and frustration after they were beaten decisively 60-27 by Seeley-Swan High School.

Giving up 26 turnovers was the bottom line, head coach Thersa Brown said.

“They just were turning the ball over too much,” she said. “We couldn’t get into a rhythm. We weren’t playing very smart.”

The team had been lacking into confidence ever since its losing streak began against Victor early on in the season, Brown said.

In the first game, the team was out-rebounded with fifteen and just couldn’t get the rubber moving around - Arlee had only seven assists in the game.

Freshman Kenzi Bradshaw led in points with 13 and junior Chelsea Allaire had six points in the loss.

Afterward, sophomore Melissa Ivanoff said the way her team had played was upsetting.

She said her team had struggled under pressure most of the year and without senior Kelci Apland, out with a broken ankle, things were even worse,

“It’s like we get out there and forget everything under pressure,” she said.

She said that her teammates usually runs their set plays in practice but lost sight of the team’s systems come game time.

The Scarlets can breath a little easier after Saturday’s game when they found a little bit of team work and took some frustration out on Lincoln and the scoreboard.

“They were a little more confident,” Brown said.

She added that her girls finally started to look like a team as they proceeded to score 15 or more points each quarter in the thrashing.

“It really helps when we have everybody scoring as a team effort,” she said. 

The individual stats soared for the Scarlets in the game against Lincoln.

Bradshaw’s game didn’t go anywhere, finishing with 14. But the star of the show was speedy junior Ty Gardipe. She finished with 26 and found her way to seven rebounds as well.

Gardipe’s quickness turned out to be Lincoln’s worst nightmare.

“She just stole the ball and made layup after layup,” Brown said.

Gardipe’s explosive game was a welcome performance Brown said.

When the Scarlets run a press Gardipe brings the quickness that can cause opposition trouble.

Brown said her team’s 29 rebounds and only nine turnovers were key statistics behind the win.   

A big win against Lincoln isn’t the only thing her team needs. To make a dent in the conference standings - it’s going to take confidence, she said.

She hopes her team can find its step and relax a little bit.

This week will be a challenge regardless. Arlee faced division powerhouse Drummond on Tuesday on the road and plays at 7 p.m. tonight at Victor then finishes the tough stretch at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday when the team hosts Hot Springs.