That’s a wrap for Ranger girls

After completing their regular season the Hill City High School girls basketball team headed for the regional games. The first Region 8A basketball game was held Feb. 24 at Gins Gym as the Ranger girls faced the Custer Wildcats for the third time this season. The outcome of the game remained uncertain since these teams have been evenly matched this year with the Wildcats winning the first game by one and the Rangers winning the second game by three. 

“We had to play with enough energy and effort all the way through to win,” said coach Wade Ginsbach, “and our girls came through and played well.”

In the end, the Ranger girls won 50-46 and progressed to the second round. 

On Saturday, Feb. 26 the Ranger girls traveled to St. Thomas More High School for their next region game against the Cavaliers. According to Ginsbach, the Ranger girls came out playing hard, keeping the score close while making some good plays and even trying  some new things. However, the Ranger girls lost 54-37, thus concluding their basketball season. 

“At the end of the day, our girls gave a really good effort, and that’s something they’ve never lacked in,” Ginsbach said.

The team will see some changes in the coming season as this year’s seniors move on and the younger girls move up.

However, change is not always bad.

“I think we had a good group that left,” said Ginsbach, “and I think we have a good group that’ll put in a lot of work going forward and be successful.”

When asked what he is most proud of the team for, Ginsbach answered, “Our willingness to persevere and to stay within ourselves and play as a team. I think that’s the biggest takeaway we have. They are all very unselfish and really don’t care who gets the accolades and who gets the points. They know that we're all fighting for a common goal.”

With that, the Ranger girls basketball season has come to a close.