Plagued by close losses, Guffey's girls remain undaunted
Mammoth's Varsity Girls lost on the road to Boron Saturday Jan. 26 in another close game, by 3 points. The final score was Mammoth 32 – Boron 35. Melissa Galvan had 8 points, 1 assist, 2 rebounds and 5 steals, while Elle Kaylor had 6 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals. Cali Linnastruth contributed 4 points, Nikki Chavez contributed 3 points and Natalie Sheckter contributed 3 points.
Wendy Guzman-Rangel had 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 steals, also closing the final score from a 6 point deficit to a gap of just 3 points by nailing a 3 pointer from near half court at the final buzzer.
Coach Megan Guffey was impressed with their work: “The girls sure did hustle. I have received several kind comments of how fun the girls' team is to watch. Great job, Lady Huskies.”
Next, the Varsity girls again hit the road, taking it on the chin with a 27-57 loss to the Desert Christian Knights. As with many of their recent games, the first half was close. On the whole the team performed well. Elle Kaylor had 13 points, 5 rebounds, Melissa Galvan had 6 points, 4 rebounds, Wendy Guzman-Rangel had 4 points, 7 rebounds, 7 steals, and Natalie Sheckter put up 4 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocked shots.
Guffey wasn't phased by the loss: “We didn't play the second half the way we played the first half.”
Following these two games, the team's league record was 0-6, and their overall record was 4-13. At this point in the season, the girls still had two more home games, one against Lone Pine on Feb. 5 and another versus Silver Valley the next day.
In the Feb. 5 game, Mammoth once again hosted the Eagles, who at the time were sitting in first place in the league. Despite having played a very good game, the varsity girls chalked up another loss, 29-41, though this game was much closer than the team's previous game against the Eagles.
With the forfeit of Lucerne Valley, the team's record improved slightly to 1-7 in league and 5-14 overall.
Checking the box scores, Elle Kaylor had 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals; Melissa Galvan had 5 points, 3 assists, 3 steals; Natalie Sheckter had 5 points, 7 rebounds, Carla Weaver had 4 points, 2 steals; and Mae Hernandez had 2 points, 2 rebounds.
The night was extra special for the Lady Huskies, as it was also the team's annual senior night. At half time, the team presented each of the Varsity's seniors, #2 Melissa Galvan, #10 Mae Hernandez, #12 Carla Weaver, #13 Nichole Chavez, #21 Stephanie Hernandez, #22 Wendy Guzman-Rangel, #34 Elle Kaylor and #50 Natalie Sheckter, with a rose.
Along with these seniors, the team also honored Team Mom Donna Sheckter, who drove to every game, bought food and water, and chaperoned. Coach Guffey praised Sheckter by saying, “I could not have done it without you. Thank you Donna!”
When addressing her team's departing seniors, Guffey stated, “Ladies, thank you for your hard work! It has been an honor to coach you and watch you improve. We will miss you, but you with go with us wherever we go. I am so excited to look back at the first team I ever coached at Mammoth High School. Thank you for the opportunity.”
Mammoth Varsity Girls' last home game against Silver Valley was another close one, which unfortunately saw the well fought battle end in heartbreak, with Mammoth down just 42-47 at the final buzzer.
An exhausted, but pleased Guffey exclaimed, “Man, the girls sure played well. They fought all four quarters and didn't give up!”
Carla Weaver had 10 points, 3 steals; Nichole Chavez had 9 points — 6 of which were from her two 3 pointers — 4 rebounds, 3 steals; Natalie Sheckter had 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 shot blocks; Melissa Galvan had 6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, Elle Kaylor had 5 points, 6 rebounds, 1 shot block; and Wendy Guzman-Rangel had 3 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal.
Even with the loss, Guffey was characteristically upbeat about the Huskies' tremendous performance, commenting, “They did everything asked of them. Great game, ladies!”
Mammoth's record was 1-8 in league and 5-15 overall. The Lady Huskies still had a road game against Desert Christian left to play on Feb. 8. -MT
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