MOUNTAIN VIEW – When the MVHS Lady Buffs hosted the LHS Lady Eagles last Friday night, Jan. 27, it proved to be a shoot-out between two of the top 3A teams of the state.

The game proved to live up to the expectations as the two varsity teams battled to the end for one to take the win. Overall, the game was a battle from the beginning as the two teams faced each other on the hardwood in the Buffalo Dome, which was filled with loud vocal fans on each side. At times it appeared the din could raise the high vaulted ceiling.

The game was high intensity, fast-paced and proved to be an evening in which both teams could be proud of their action. But in all contests like these, only one of the two can come out as the winner.

Following last week’s play and Lyman’s loss to Mountain View, the Lady Buffs bounced up to reclaim the #1 spot in the 3A SW Quad as they now have a record of 15-1, 2-1. They lost to the Lady Wranglers of Pinedale in a game earlier in the season.

If Lyman had won the game last Friday against Mountain View, the #1 spot in the SW Quad would have been a 3-way tie between Mountain View, Lyman and Pinedale. As the buzzer sounded with Mountain View notching the win, Mountain View was again bounced up over the Lady Eagles of Lyman to #1. Lyman sits at #2 with an over all and conference record of 13-2, 2-1. Pinedale is a close third with a record of 13-2, 2-1, having lost to Lyman a short time ago.

The other two teams that look like they might be in the running in 3A due to their current records are in the SE Quad and are Douglas 15-1, 3-0; followed by Wheatland 14-3, 2-1.

This week the Lady Buffs and Lady Eagles will head-to-head against Worland and Thermopolis in away games, with the game dates alternated for the two schools.

The game last Friday proved to be a battle from the beginning, and was a tough, high-intensity, fast-paced game on the part of both teams. When the dust settled, the MVHS Lady Buffs had handed the LHS Lady Eagles their first loss of the season in overtime, 59-56.

Both head coaches, prior to the game, talked about their opponent’s team as tough and a team to make it happen. Both acknowledged the game would be tough and intense and the need for the teams to be prepared for whatever was thrown at them during the game.

In overtime, the Lady Eagles put the first two points on the board to take a two-point lead. Izabell Hickey put up two for Mountain View, tying the game at 53. Several trips to the line didn’t tip the score in either team’s favor until Hickey went to the line and added one point for the Lady Buffs to take a one-point lead. The rest of the overtime was intense and hard play, but the Lady Buffs were able to edge out a three-point lead when the buzzer sounded, 59-56.

BUFFALOS AND EAGLES GUY TEAMS

MOUNTAIN VIEW — The MVHS Buffalos hosted the LHS Eagles last Friday night in a hard fought game last week with the Eagles edging ahead in the second half and taking the game by 12 points, 44-32.

Both teams will head to Worland and Thermopolis this week when they will go up against the Warriors and Bobcats on alternating days.

Eight weeks of the season culminated with last week’s play. In the 3A SW Quad, Lander sits at the top with a 9-5, 2-1 record. Lyman is in second place with an 805,2-1 record, followed by Pinedale with 8-7, 2-1 and Mountain View with a 2-13, 0-3.

Douglas, SE, is at the top of the 3A with a 15-1, 3-0 record, followed by Worland, NW, with a 10-3, 3-0 record.

As for the Buffalos, they have only one returning starter, Dane Branson. The Eagles have several, but both teams are fielding players without a lot of intense varsity experience. But, as they have played this year, both teams have been developing their skills.

In last week’s game in the Buffalo Dome, the Buffalos and Eagles played to a full house with loud, boisterous fans supporting both teams, true to a game, which is closely followed by fans. The noise adds to the excitement at the fans give voice to their support of their teams.

In the game last week, the Eagles posted the first points on the board with a three after grabbing the tipoff. The Buffalos put up a point by Hank Allred from the line. Braydon Bradshaw and Carter Bradshaw added two and three points, respectively, for the Eagles to take a five-point lead over the Buffalos. The Buffalos responded with a three by Spencer Erickson to cut the Eagles’ lead to two, 8-6. The score was tied at eight and the Buffs took a one-point lead

When the third quarter ended, the Eagles had an 11-point lead, 38-27.

The fourth quarter proved to be better controlled by the Eagles as they added points. The Buffalos also added points but were unable to edge closer to the Eagles. In the first three minutes of the fourth, the Eagles gained a 13-point advantage, 40-27. The Buffalos had held Braydon Bradshaw down on scoring in the paint it the first three quarters, but he made up for it in the fourth.

When the buzzer sounded, the Eagles took the win by 12-points, 44-32.