Sabercats with a devastating loss against Poudre

Haley Rockwell • February 16, 2016

After beating Rocky and Collins last week, the girls’ Varsity basketball team lost their in-town game winning streak, losing to Poudre last night 43-48.

The Sabercats battled every minute of the game, trying to pull ahead and create a comfortable lead. However, the competition was so tight and the score was always close. With starter, Britton Mishak leading the team in points, scoring 2 baskets and 1 free throw, the game was tied 17-17 at the end of the first quarter.

The team came out strong in the second quarter, determined to pull ahead. Sami Steffeck and Regan Wess drained one three pointer each early into the second quarter, causing the team to lead 23-22. With 1:39 on the clock Ashley Steffeck blocked on of Poudre’s shooting guard’s shot, preventing Poudre from tying the game. The first half ended with Fossil ahead 29-26.

“We played good pressure defense and in the first half our shooting and execution was great,” says Wess, who had 3 points and 1 rebound in the first half.

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The third quarter had low energy and intensity for the Sabercats, only scoring 4 points in the entire quarter. Poudre didn’t go down without a fight, they managed to pull ahead, ending the third quarter 33-36.

“We started to panic when Poudre went on their run. It became more of an individual game, we weren’t sharing the ball as well as we could have on offense,” says shooting guard and point guard, Sami Steffeck.

The Sabercats started to relax and play their game more in the fourth quarter, pulling ahead of Poudre 37-36 with 5:40 left in the game. Ashley Steffeck played a huge part in helping the team begin the run, she had 4 points and 2 steals in the fourth quarter. With 4:10 left in the game, Poudre held the lead 37-41 but the Sabercats didn’t give up and fought to keep the game close. The Steffeck sisters worked together to help the team catch up to Poudre with second left in the game. Ashley had a huge steal that resulted in a made layup and Sami made a hard drive to the basket that made the score 43-45 with 24.7 seconds left in the game. With the Sabercats’ last attempt to win the game Mishak fouled a Poudre player that put her on the line with 14.5 seconds left in the game. The Poudre player made her free throw, ending the game with Fossil losing 43-48.

Fossil basketball season is coming to an end, the girls have two more games left for league play. One game against Fairview away and the other against Boulder at home. You’re chances to support your girls’ basketball team is cutting down so try to catch their last home, league game on Thursday, February 18 at 6:30 pm.

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About the Contributor

Haley Rockwell, Sports Editor

Senior Haley Rockwell is a dynamic character in the Fossil Ridge setting, bringing many dimensions to Etched in Stone as well as everything else she is involved in. Her in-depth athletic background enables her to contribute accurate stories on the many sports teams that compete for Fossil, making her leadership of sporting event coverage on the Etched in Stone publication crew. “I’m an athlete, so I’m involved in a lot of sports, and I think that gives me an advantage writing about it since I’m so passionate about it”, she said. As an ambitious soccer player, talented photographer, and member of the journalism program for the past three (now four) years , dedication is definitely a quality that Haley never fails to bring to the table. In fact, her hard work and dedication has earned her commitment to the University of Northern Colorado for soccer, where she is thinking about majoring in business with a minor in journalism. “Journalism has been a big part of my life for the past four years, so I want to continue to pursue it if I can!” she exclaimed.

Apart from being involved in journalism, athletics, and demanding academics, Haley is very interested in the arts. Alongside photography, she also finds peace in the relaxing qualities that drawing offers. “If I need something to escape from the stress of school and soccer, I’ll go draw instead”, she explained. The subject that she most frequently captures in her artwork are wolves, which she considers to be her personal spirit animal. A lover of animals, Haley also has a black cat at home named Shay. She is the oldest of two sisters, and knows very well the responsibilities of taking the lead and making crucial decisions. Haley’s talents are bound to pave a pathway that will take her far, no matter where she chooses to travel. Her strong sense of individuality, hard work, and passion are essential tools that will lead her to a bright and prosperous future.