Huskies fall to Meeteetse despite second half ralley

by Stephanie Tolman
It was an intense matchup against Meeteetse for the Burlington Huskies on Friday. Jordan Michaels hit a three for the game’s first points, but Meeteetse rallied and led 17-6 after one. “We came out and allowed their shooters too many open looks and as the famous saying goes ‘hand down, man down,’” said Coach Kirby Winland.
The Huskies struggled connecting offensively and Meeteetse continued to grow the lead until about halfway through the second. Two 3s and a bucket by Toby McNulty and additional baskets by Jordan Casey, Weston Gotfredson, Joe Bassett rejuvenated the Huskies who added 18 points to cut the Longhorn’s lead to just four points at the half.
The Huskies were plagued with foul trouble early with three of their starters ending the first half with three fouls a piece and fouling out by the end of the game. “These areas have been a struggle for us as a team thus far in the season, which at this point prompts me as a coach to think there needs to be some changes in what we are doing strategically,” said Winland.
The fight continued into the second half but Meeteetse handed Burlington their first conference loss by a 51-45 decision.
Despite the tough loss, there were bright spots for the Huskies. “Toby really heated up, giving us a burst of offense and momentum, unfortunately fate reared its head and in the middle of his offensive explosion, a collision caused him to roll his ankle. Rykael Andrew showed some really great hustle off the bench and great mental strength in a bang-bang play, where he ran into the bleachers while absorbing a blow from a basketball. He did a great job at keeping his cool and moving on to the next play. Jesus Perez also did a good job starting in his first varsity game. I have lots of optimism still in our team moving forward. We have great players and great young men. We just need to unlock that potential and that’s on me as a coach, to figure out how to get our young meant to reach their potential. So we will keep working and keep trying to make adjustments until we can find the recipe for success,” ended Winland.
The Huskies will compete in the Big Horn Basin Classic this weekend.
Meeteetse — 51
Burlington — 46
BURLINGTON — Bassett 6-10 1-2 13, McNulty 3-6 2-2 10, Gotfredson 3-8 2-3 8, Michaels 3-9 0-0 7, Casey 1-5 0-0 2, Perez 1-5 0-0 2, Andrew 1-2 0-0 2, H. McNiven 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 19-50 5-7 46.
3-POINT GOALS — McNulty 2, Michaels 1. REBOUNDS — Burlington 24 (Bassett, Michaels 5). STEALS — Burlington 18 (Perez 6, Michaels 4). ASSISTS — Burlington 8 (Michaels 3). TURNOVERS — Burlington 21.