Fillies hope to return to title game

The Fillies enter the tournament undefeated and 4A West regional champs for the second consecutive season.

Junior Molly Hays leads the state in scoring at 21.3 points per game and is shooting a remarkable 59% from the field. She also leads the state in steals and free throw percentage and is a top rebounder.

But once again Hays has the support of an outstanding cast of players who are capable of taking over a game at any time.

Senior Kennedi Niemann leads the state in assists, is fourth in steals and averages double figures in scoring.

She has said all year if the Fillies simply play their game they will be fine, and so far she has been correct.

Fellow senior Ally Boysen is coming off a 22-point performance in the regional championship game, is shooting 65% from the field and is one of multiple lock-down defenders for the Fillies.

She has made opposing defenders look silly on the block all year long and that should continue throughout the state tournament.

Reece Niemann has proved she can shut down the best players on any team and can bring the ball down the floor, create her own shots from midrange. She has also drained 18 triples this season.

Some teams’ plans have been to leave her open from the three-point line. That has not worked out well for them.

Victory Buck has been aggressive on offense all season and has been lights-out from distance.

Chances are the announcer will refer to her as “Victoria” again, but that never seems to slow her down.

The senior finished the regular season with 37 threes and is averaging close to 10 points per game.

Senior Jessa Lynn has been a defensive specialist on the top defensive team in the state and must infuriate ball handlers.

The Fillies have held teams to 30 points per game and average 17 steals per game. That’s what they will need to keep up when they face off against some unfamiliar foes from the other side of the state.

No. 2 ranked Cheyenne East is coming off back-to-back state titles, but lost some firepower from last year’s squad. They return a pair of guards, however, who can handle the ball, dish out the assists and drain shots from the outside.

It appears by all accounts the Fillies and Thunderbirds are destined to meet in the title game, but first Cody must get by Campbell County on Thursday, a team they beat 74-58 in the second game of the season.