Steamboat Pilot & Today

Balanced scoring and two new offensive schemes helped the Steamboat Springs High School girls basketball team roll to a 57-26 win over Delta on Friday night.

"We put in two new zone offenses in this past week, which really helped," Steamboat guard Bailey Draper said. "We had watched a lot of film, so we were able to capitalize on their position in the zone."

The Sailors, 5-2 in league play, were able to exploit the Panthers' defense early, scoring the first seven points of the game before Delta's Ashley Carothers hit a 3-pointer. The basket ignited a brief Delta comeback, but the Steamboat players put an end to the rally. A couple of big baskets at the end of the first quarter gave the Sailors a 12-7 advantage.

The Steamboat offense hit its stride in the second quarter behind the scoring of Kayla Kostur, who led the team with 12 points, and Erin Christensen who finished with five. The Sailors took a 30-20 lead at the end of the half and didn't trail in the game again.

Draper, Jessica Peters and Melissa White scored eight points each in the game.

"We got a little sloppy at the end of the second quarter, but other than that, we kept our focus pretty well," Sailors coach Steve Moos said. "It was a chance to run a new offense, and I think that helped us. It gave us something to focus on."

Moos said he was happy to see all nine players in his rotation score, in the game.

"It's becoming the norm," Moos said. "They are all capable scorers, and it's nice because there is usually somebody hitting."

Steamboat will be looking to stay on the winning track when it takes on Palisade today at 4:30. The junior varsity team is scheduled to take the floor at 3 p.m.