For a team trying to learn and grow under first-year coach Jack Leighty, it was a tough week for the Lisbon girls’ basketball team.
Things started off good, with a 62-22 win over winless Cedar Valley Christian on Monday, Jan. 20, in Springville.
Morgan Sauser led the way with 22 points. Kamryn Kahl added 13 points and Emma Pleasant had 10 points. Ava Ahrendsen had nine rebounds and Kyla Kahl had seven steals.
But on Thursday, Jan. 23, in a non-conference game at West Branch, the Lions lost, 51-46, and lost their leading scorer, Sauser, to injury at the start of the fourth quarter.
“With her being such a good teammate and our kids just being good kids in general, we had an emotional hurdle to get over as we finished the game,” Leighty said. “Our kids battled and had a shot to tie at the end of the fourth quarter.”
The Lions then had to turn around and play Friday, Jan. 24, at Calamus-Wheatland. The Warriors won, 49-46. (Lisbon won the first matchup in the Lions’ Den 46-40 back in December.)
“I thought we responded well, we just need to find our identity on the offensive end of the floor without Morgan,” Leighty said. “I’m confident with a little time we’ll come around with our new adjustments.”
Kamryn Kahl led the Lions with 11 points, seven rebounds and five steals. Leighty said Kyla Kahl ran the point and Emmersyn Reiter stepped up her play as well. Lisbon led 28-22 at half.