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Oak Creek — After losing the cross-county rivalry by one-point at both meetings last year, the girls on the Hayden girls basketball team returned the favor by beating Soroco, 32-30, on the Rams' home court Tuesday night.

The Rams came out with plenty of energy, leading for most of the game. But Hayden coach Stephanie Davis stressed the poise her team had to find to win the close one.

"We came out so high strung and just pushed everything," Davis said. "I'd never seen the team play so poorly or seen the kids play so cold. At halftime, we had to really talk about poise."

The Rams put immediate full-court pressure on Hayden. Amanda Wilson put an emphatic close to the first period with a steal and breakaway converted into a three-point play.

Outshooting the Tigers, the Rams jumped to a 13-4 lead with baskets from Sarajane Rossi and Toni Lombardi. The turnovers continued for the Tigers as they headed into the half, down 17-12.

"We were just forcing passes and playing head games with ourselves," said Hayden's Kylee Sweetser.

The Tigers' Emily Whiteman opened the second half with a three-point play and then Jacquelyn Denker set the Tiger's tone with a steal and breakaway layup to tie the game.

"Jacquelyn controlled the pace of the game on the second half," Davis said. "She gets my Kudo of the day award."

"Jacquelyn brought the heat for us, and when she picks up her game, it makes me want to pick up mine," Sweetser added.

The Tigers renewed energy allowed them to keep the game close as they tried to contain Soroco's Kelsey Samuelson, who scored all of the Rams' six points in the third quarter.

Lauren Frentress nailed a three to give the Tigers a one point-lead heading into the fourth quarter, where the Tigers continued their balance scoring. In all, Hayden had nine players score points.

Another Wilson steal and basket from Samuelson gave Soroco the advantage, but the Tigers responded with a steal of their own from Jessica Martin and a clutch basket from Katy Koehler to give Hayden the final lead.

Although the Tigers gave the Rams plenty of chances after multiple botched free throws, Soroco could not convert on its final chance, one that had Glenda Long driving the length of the floor to throw up the tying shot on the run as time expired.

"I was pretty nervous," Long said. "I was just hoping it would go in, or I'd draw the foul."

Soroco coach Danelle Rivera said the game was a heartbreaker for her team.

"Our girls have the mentality that they don't lose close games," Rivera said. "Eventually that mentality will play off in league games. I hate losing to a cross-town rival, but when we come back to their place for the league game, our girls will be that much hungrier."

The win puts the Hayden girls at 4-3 overall, and Soroco is now 3-5 overall.

Hayden plays at 6 p.m., Friday at West Grand. Soroco hosts Rangely at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.

- To reach Dave Shively, call 871-4253

or e-mail dshively@steamboatpilot.com