| Lady Tigers Finish 5th in State Tourney |
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 The Hurricane Lady Tigers defeated the Canyon View Falcons,co-region champions,by 15 points Saturday Feb. 24 to place fifth overall in Class 3A state basketball competition.After a Thursday evening loss to Region 8’s number one seeded team,the Emery Spartans,the Lady Tigers turned their sights away from finishing atop the state tournament bracket to strongly finishing in the top five teams in the state. “It was a classic battle between a number one team and a number two team,”Hurricane coach Clair Woodbury said. “We certainly didn’t lose the game due to playing badly. It was a well played game,and the number one team pulled it off.” It was a well fought battle for the Lady Tigers,as well as no small accomplishment,to finish in the top five teams in the state. Hurricane defeated the number-one-seeded Logan High School on Friday 53-35 to advance to Saturday’s play. The Lady Tigers met their Region 9 foes,the Canyon View Falcons,in a battle for fifth and sixth place overall. The Tigers defeated the Lady Falcons by a 15 point margin to secure their spot as the fifth ranked team in the state,a claim that few teams can ever make. In fact,the Lady Tigers have a long list of accomplishments compiled from throughout their season and their fifth place finish decorates an already impressive resume. “We really peaked at the right time and got better each and every week throughout the season,”Woodbury said. “Looking at the first of the season to the last,this is not the same team.” According to Woodbury,the early loss in the state tournament came as a surprise to the Lady Tigers and natural disappointment accompanied it. “I feel we played very well,and that’s what I told the girls,”Woodbury said. “Sometimes the best teams don’t have the best players,although there are some outstanding girls on our team. True champions don’t fall-they rather come back and play that much stronger.” The Lady Tigers finished out the season with an astounding record of 20 wins as opposed to merely four losses. “20 wins in a season is a great accomplishment that not many high school teams can claim,”Woodbury said. The Lady Tigers apparent success is attributed to hard work,determination and a group of girls and coaches who hold each other in high regards. “I love these girls. We have a lot of fun together,”Senior Rachelle Ballard said. “The coaches are amazing and dedicated to the team. They spend a lot of time working on the game after hours.” According to Ballard,the Lady Tigers coaching staff respects the game of basketball but equally respects the importance of getting a good education. “We girls on the team have played together for so long and we have a good chemistry on the court,”Ballard said. “We’ve all been dedicated and determined to succeed.” The girls’team,although full of talented athletes,was led by two senior standouts. Brandi Barrett,already committed to play with the Dixie State College Lady Rebels,and move-in Shanae Vaifanua. The two players razzled and dazzled their way through the season and were inspirations to other girls on the team. “We’re all friends on the court just as much as we are at school and on the weekends,”Barrett said. “Most of us have all been playing together for a long time and we are all friends. We work well together and we’re all very dedicated to achieve our goals.” According to Barrett,the camaraderie found between the girls on the team as well as the coaches is extremely unique. “The coaches listen to us and are always open for options,”Barrett said. “Of course they know best and we trust that,but they know that we see things differently on the court and they are willing to hear our side of things.” Shanae Vaifanua attributes the Lady Tigers success throughout the season to the hard work and commitment she noticed from the very first moment she began playing with the girls. “The way these girls accepted me as the new girl was awesome,”Vaifanua said. “I came here and fit right in. We all just clicked and I really appreciate how accepting they were of me. Not many teams will let you just walk right in on something you’ve already got.” According to other players,like Leah Wilson,who haven’t spent too much time in the lime light,the girls on the team don’t get jealous of one another. When Barrett and Vaifanua have great games and get a lot of attention,it doesn’t negatively affect the other girls. “We get along great,”Leah said. “We’ve played together for six years,although Shanae is an exception. We’re old time friends.” She says that the coaches,Clair Woodbury especially as a first year head coach,are extremely dedicated to doing what’s best for the team. “The game means a lot to him and it really shows,”Wilson said. “The coaches always spoil us by making sure we have too much fun. They’ve really motivated us throughout the season.” The Lady Tigers finished the regular season 18 wins and three losses. Concluding 3A state tournament play,they ended with an impressive record of 20 wins and four losses. The Hurricane High School Lady Tigers are to be commended for their season of success. Bookmark & Share              |