Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — The result will read as a loss, but the feeling after will resonate in the postseason.

The Steamboat Springs High School girls basketball team lost, 42-35, at Delta on Saturday, but ample opportunities to win were there.

Delta entered and left the game as the class of the Western Slope League, departing Saturday with a 12-0 league record.

But boy did the Panthers have to work for it against a resurgent Sailors team.

The two teams were tied at 19 at the half, and Delta held a slim 28-26 lead going into the fourth.

Delta was able to extend the lead throughout the fourth quarter, but Steamboat will be able to look back and realize it had opportunities.

The Sailors were just 12 of 26 from the free-throw line in the game.

“First off,” Steamboat coach John Ameen said, “we played a hell of a game. The effort and tenacity and battling was incredible.”

The first two times the teams met, Delta cruised 58-26.

This time Steamboat had a full roster, and it appears the Sailors are playing their best basketball as the regular season enters the final stretch.

McKenzie Repollo led the Sailors with 11, while Nikki Fry chipped in seven.

Steamboat (8-9 overall, 4-8 in league play) next plays at 6 p.m. Friday at home against Battle Mountain.

Considering the Sailors are starting to play their best basketball, Ameen said he’s excited for the district tournament in a couple of weeks.

“I don’t think, especially the second time around, teams will want to play us even though our league record is not in the top tier,” he said.

To reach Luke Graham, call 970-871-4229 or email lgraham@SteamboatToday.com