WORLAND - The last time the Worland Lady Warriors faced Torrington they were still looking for their offensive rhythm and were defeated by the Lady Trailblazers 39-32, in Torrington. Since that Feb. 2 loss the Lady Warriors offense has found their groove and as they open the 3A East regional girls basketball tournament against Torrington, they are ready to make a postseason run.

"We've had a pretty good week of practice. The kids are ready and I've been pleased with everything going on this week," said WHS girls basketball coach Ben Hofmann.

Worland's last outing vs. Torrington senior guard Casey Wassum got into early foul trouble and had to sit for most of the first half. As a result, the Lady Warriors offense struggled, this was also the first game without sophomore starting guard BreAnna Parra, and the Lady Trailblazers took advantage, going on a 27-5 run at one point.

This time around, with their offense much improved and their trademark stingy defense, the Lady Warriors look to turn the tables on the Lady Trailblazers.

"If we're going to have a chance to win we're going to have to hit some timely shots. Making that second round of the playoffs we certainly need the shots to fall and finish around the basket.

"We need to stay out of foul trouble, Casey got in foul trouble last time we played them. She's one of our main pieces that gets us into things offensively and defensively. We need to stay out of foul trouble, finish around the rim and be able to handle their pressure. They did a good job of getting to us and part of that was Casey going out of the game. We need to keep her in the game, keep everyone involved and move the ball. The ball needs to be moving and we have to stay out of the corners," said Hofmann.

The Lady Warriors game vs. the Lady Trailblazers is the opening game of the regional tournament, in Douglas, and tipoff is at 8:30 a.m. today. If Worland is victorious today they play again at 3 p.m. tomorrow against the winner of the Buffalo/Wheatland game. Lose, and they have another early start tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. vs. the loser of Buffalo/Wheatland.

For Hofmann and the Lady Warriors tipoff time is not much of a concern, obviously, given a choice, they would go with a later game but with a state tournament berth on the line. This week is about winning the two games needed, anywhere or anytime, to extend the season.

"We can't help the schedule. We got ourselves into this position, if we won a few more games earlier this year, we struggled in the first round of quad games, if we won a few of those we'd be playing a later game. We made our bed now we have to lie in it. We're excited to be in the tournament and we'll play anyone, anywhere and if we want to play those later games we have to play good basketball and have to win," said Hofmann.

If Worland is going to make a deep postseason run not only will they need to rely on their three seniors, Saige Jones, Jaycee Page and Wassum, but their role players, like reserves Tymberlynn Crippen, Kate Wassum and Payton McEndree, will need to play well too.

"We've relied heavily on our seniors and at this point in the year, we need everyone to contribute. We're fairly deep in terms of girls that we can run off the bench. We just need everyone to fulfill their roles, come in hit some threes, get a basket, rebound the basketball or get us into our offense. Everyone needs to do their job and when everyone does their job we've been pretty successful this year," said Hofmann.

Finishing the regular season 8-11 overall, their first losing season since 2013, was disappointing but it has by no means affected the Lady Warriors as they prepare for regionals. In fact, the enthusiasm and focus have been ratcheted up.

"They are excited and ready to go. They made a nice run in the playoffs during volleyball and it's the same core group of girls. I really expect them to rise up to the challenge and play good basketball," said Hofmann.