Lady Devils go 1-2 at Tarkanian Classic tourney in Las Vegas
Owen, McElhaney likely out with shoulder injuries
by Greg Knight
The Times-Independent
Dec 28, 2017 | 871 views | 0 0 comments | 44 44 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Girls Basketball
Lady Devils Emree Olsen (No. 21), Hannah Owen (No. 32) and Veda Gritts (No. 4) stand ready on defense against Durango High School at the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas. Photo courtesy Ron Dolphin
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After what was arguably the best offensive game of her high school career, Lady Devils junior Hannah Owen is likely finished for the season after sustaining a tear of the labrum in her left shoulder socket, according to Grand County High School girls’ basketball coach Randy Martin.

The injury to Owen, who has been one of the top offensive producers for GCHS this season (16.3 points, 2.4 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game), came Dec. 21 during the team’s trip to the Tarkanian Classic tournament in Las Vegas. After scoring 30 points the previous day in the Lady Devils’ 52-25 win over Durango, Colo., the junior guard went down in serious pain while facing Las Vegas’ Foothill High School, Martin said.

Owen shot 71 percent from the floor against Durango, going 12-17 on field goals — and an outstanding 6-7 from the free-throw line. She also penciled in four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Junior Veda Gritts led the Lady Devils defensively with 19 rebounds and a steal, while also dropping 13 points on offense. Mercedes Zunich grabbed three steals.

The injury to Owen was just the beginning of Grand County’s troubles. After falling to Foothill, 57-16, the Lady Devils took a hard, 63-14 loss on Dec. 22 to Springfield (Ore.) High School.

“In the second game we fell behind early and then Hannah went down with a shoulder injury and the team really struggled,” Martin said. “[In] the third game Springfield put a tremendous amount of defensive pressure on us; they were much bigger and faster then us and we struggled.”

According to Martin, Owen will be seeing a medical specialist this week to address the injury. “We are keeping our fingers crossed for Hannah. If the tear is slight she could be back in two weeks. A deeper tear means she could be out six to eight weeks,” he said.

Despite the losses, which leave the Lady Devils behind at 4-5 overall headed into 3A Region 15 play next week, Martin said the tournament taught the team a lot on both sides of the ball.

“The tournament was a great experience for the team,” Martin said. “We played well our first game, we moved the ball well and hit the open shots and were active on the defensive end of the court. You never know who you are going to draw in a big tournament like this. We wound up playing two of the top teams in our bracket early, just the luck of the draw. We learned what we need to work on in practice and will be a better team going forward.”

In addition to losing Owen to what is likely a season-ender, Lady Devil sophomore Toni McElhaney went out during the Springfield game with a shoulder injury as well. Martin said, “The initial diagnosis on Toni is a tear in her rotator cuff. She also will be seeing a specialist this week.”

The injuries come just one week out from the beginning of regional play, with the Lady Devils set to face the Manti Lady Templars (1-7) at home. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. on Jan. 5 at Grand County High School.

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