GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL: Ellensburg 48, EPHRATA 39

Taking it hard to the basket was Ephrata's Kendra De Hoog (32) against Ellensburg last night in CWAC play.

Kelsey Yenney (10) of the Ephrata Lady Tigers defended and scored 16 points but it wasn't enough in last night's loss to Ellensburg.

by Alan Dale<br> Herald Sports Writer
| December 23, 2010 5:00 AM

Kelsey Yenney (10) of the Ephrata Lady Tigers defended and scored 16 points but it wasn't enough in last night's loss to Ellensburg.

EPHRATA - If Ephrata's Lady Tigers basketball team were dancers

their moves would look like someone stepping on hot coals.

One step here, two quick ones there, and very little rhythm.

EPHRATA - If Ephrata's Lady Tigers basketball team were dancers their moves would look like someone stepping on hot coals.

One step here, two quick ones there, and very little rhythm.

That's because their topsy-turvy season continued last night with a 48-39 home loss to a struggling Ellensburg Bulldogs team.

Ephrata (4-4, 2-4 Central Washington Athletic Conference (CWAC) play) followed up a win with a loss for the second straight time in a week.

"We just have to relax and settle down and play like we are capable," Ephrata head coach Aaron Ross said. "There are times like tonight where we are trying too hard and we make more mistakes than we should and that's where we are with that."

The teams were tied at 22 at halftime as Ellensburg would not allow the sleeker, more athletic Ephrata team to get up-and-down the floor. The slower tempo allowed Ellensburg to assume control in the second half as they built a 36-30 third quarter lead despite getting into some serious foul trouble.

Ephrata missed many open shots and according to Ross expected to get the Bulldogs' best shot.

"We don't take anyone lightly and we prepared like we do for everybody in our league," Ross said. "We couldn't shoot and we never got in a rhythm offensively."

Kelsey Yenney led the Lady Tigers with 16 points while Heidi Buchert finished with four points and five rebounds.

Now the team can recoup during the holiday break and maybe regain that pre-season mojo when they were expected to challenge for top honors in the CWAC. The hope is the team can better deal with the higher expectations which appears to be some of the girls' problem as they are pressing according to Ross.

"I think they are and that's part of the reason for not relaxing," Ross said. "But they have to worry about what we can take care of and not things that you can't control. We've got some good players and good kids that work hard. It's just finding a rhythm together on offense and we will get going."