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TEN SLEEP - One practice was all Ten Sleep girls basketball coach Sarah Novak would have in a quick turnaround for her team.

Having only one day's practice before their game against the Shoshoni Wranglers JV team, the Ten Sleep Lady Pioneers (2-2) quickly took to their coach's instructions and executed their game plan on their way to a 39-16 victory Tuesday night at Ten Sleep gymnasium.

"We spent yesterday's practice working on our help-side defense and honing that because during last week's tournament we weren't as good as we were capable of being. Tonight the girls did very well carrying over what we practiced on Monday," said coach Novak.

In the first quarter things started slow for Ten Sleep. Their defense was creating turnovers and pressure but on offense the team was having a hard time finishing baskets. Nonetheless, they carried a 6-2 lead after one quarter.

The second quarter the Lady Pioneers offense got things rolling with the spacing coach Novak asked for during the break. A big 3-pointer by sophomore Charity Starr opened up the inside allowing for senior Madison Anderson and sophomore Kinley Erickson to go to work.

Anderson and Erickson gave the Lady Wranglers fits all night long with their rebounding ability and strong drives to the basket. Defensively, Ten Sleep was aggressive with active hands in passing lanes and effective traps that took Shoshoni out of their offense keeping them from getting any kind of rhythm.

"The Shoshoni coach said after the game we disrupted their offense because our girls were all over filling the gaps and making it tough on them, so that was a nice compliment," said coach Novak.

Heading into the half Ten Sleep held a 23-12 lead and with a few more adjustments on the defensive end held Shoshoni to only four total points in the second half. Just as they had in the second quarter the Lady Pioneers used good spacing and ball movement to get a high percentage shot inside or an open look on the perimeter.

"We made some changes in-game and at halftime, we were just too congested inside, especially when they went to their zone. For me, most offenses run a triangle and starting out we were so tight it was hard to operate. After we spaced better we were able to work the ball inside or work the ball to the weak-side for an open shot, we got into a better rhythm," said coach Novak.

When moving the ball to the weak side coach Novak encouraged her players to let it fly if they were open and they did just that. "I was really happy with our girls on the weak-side shooting when they were open. We might not have had the best night shooting from the perimeter but they did what we asked and as the season moves along I believe those shots will start to fall," said coach Novak.

Anderson led the team with 15 points and Erickson added eight of her own, while seniors Riley Erickson and Allison Hampton grabbed five and four rebounds, respectively.

Capping off her team's performance coach Novak said, "I thanked them for making the adjustments we talked about at halftime. It's a good sign that they're listening, attentive and they're there to win. Our defense was much stronger from Saturday and I told them it shows that if we can make that kind of improvement in one practice, let's see what we can do for a season's worth."

Ten Sleep's next game is against the Rocky Mountain JV Thursday night at 5 p.m. in Cowley.