Steamboat SpringsSteamboat Springs — The Steamboat Springs girls basketball team's offensive struggles continued Thursday in a 39-32 loss to Kemmerer, Wyo., in the opening game of the Flaming Gorge Basketball Tournament. — The Steamboat Springs girls basketball team's offensive struggles continued Thursday in a 39-32 loss to Kemmerer, Wyo., in the opening game of the Flaming Gorge Basketball Tournament.

Steamboat Springs — The Steamboat Springs girls basketball team’s offensive struggles continued Thursday in a 39-32 loss to Kemmerer, Wyo., in the opening game of the Flaming Gorge Basketball Tournament.

“They just came out and they were physical and aggressive. We just didn’t answer to it,” Steamboat coach John Ameen said. “It was frustrating because I believe that we were as skilled as them, if not more. They just got us in a rush on offense and beat us on the boards. They out-physicaled us, and that was the game.”

After getting bullied through the first three quarters, Steamboat started to show some life in the final quarter. Trailing, 27-18, heading into the fourth, Steamboat mounted a comeback behind Colleen King and Lizzie Stoll.

The two helped bring the Sailors back into the game, but mounting fouls and turnovers doomed the comeback.

“It’s a credit to them for their aggressiveness,” Ameen said. “But at the same time, you can’t let that affect you and take you out of your game. We just didn’t have it on the offensive end.”

Stoll led Steamboat with 11 points and eight rebounds. King added nine points and a game-high 18 rebounds.

“Those two played the best for us,” Ameen said. “They kept us in the game with their rebounding and scoring.”

Ameen said while the defense was again solid, Steamboat allowed too many offensive rebounds and second-chance points.

“It’s not getting one and out,” Ameen said. “That leads them to get more shots and get to the line. That’s what killed us.”

Steamboat next plays at 10 a.m. today against Cheyenne Central – a school with twice the enrollment of Steamboat.

“We know they’re solid and they’re good,” Ameen said. “They’re going to have some athletes. We have to come out sharper than we did this evening.”

– To reach Luke Graham, call 871-4229

or e-mail lgraham@steamboatpilot.com