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Lady Mustangs defeat the Antelopes, 59-17

Adrian’s Sadey Speelmon attempts to drive the ball to the basket as Jordan Valley’s Bailey Davis tries to block her. (The Enterprise/Kristine de Leon)

ADRIAN — A packed gym Friday night at Adrian High School witnessed the Adrian Antelopes and the Jordan Valley Mustangs girls and boys varsity basketball teams battle in High Desert League action. 

The Lady Mustangs rode the energy of the crowd and earned a 59-17 victory against their hosts.

Jordan Valley senior Regann Skinner paced her team with 19 points.

But the Lady Mustangs got solid production across the board. Nicole Terry chipped in 10 points, and Taylor Warn and Emilee Burch put up eight points each. 

“I thought our girls played really well, especially in the second half,” said Jordan Valley coach Kelsi Skinner. “The girls really picked it up defensively. I was proud of the way they moved the ball.”

The Lady Mustangs held Adrian scoreless in the third quarter, while Jordan Valley reeled off 10 points.

Jordan Valley’s defense held the turnover-plagued Antelopes to only two points after halftime.

“After halftime, we were just really focused on our defense and making sure we’re coming out aggressive and rotating,” said Skinner. “They played really aggressive, which is something we’ve been trying to key on. They rotated their defensive a lot in the second half and moved the ball well.”

Senior Taylor Warn, a versatile player who played point guard Friday night, is just as proud of herself and her team for working the defense.

“I thought tonight went really well. I thought our team had really good ball movement,” said Warn. “We were able to frazzle the opposing team and catch them off guard a bit.”

Warn said her team’s performance culminated weeks of hard practice and a tough pre-season. “We always know to push it really hard, do what our coaches say, listen and try to have a lot of fun,” she said. 

“This year, we have a whole new aspect and new mindset,” said Warn. “We’re going in and being really aggressive. I know we’re really chasing that state championship, so we’re really hoping to get that done.”

After spending most of last season as the No. 1 team in the High Desert league, Jordan Valley enters this season as one of the top squads in Class 1A basketball. But the Mustangs have a new mindset, and it’s one the team hopes will push to a state title.

“I got a new assistant this year, and she’s really great. We switched some things out with the new girls and new chemistry,” said coach Skinner.

Jordan Valley girls approach every game as if it were a state championship game, the coach said.

“We prepare for every team we play as if they’re the No. 1 team in the state and that’s for every game,” said Skinner, who’s on her sixth year of coaching Jordan Valley girls basketball. 

After Friday’s romp over Adrian, the Lady Mustangs blitzed Four Rivers 59-4 in a home game last Saturday.

Jordan Valley girls play their next games this Friday against Long Creek and Saturday against Burnt River. Both games will be on the road.