Panthers facing ups and downs

The Richards High School varsity girls’ basketball team is trying to deal with the ups and downs of the season.
The Lady Panthers had a rough time during the North Zulch tournament, whose field featured bigger schools. They beat Humble Christian Academy 36-20 on Dec. 10, then were crushed by Somerville to drop their record to 3-2.
"We definitely have some things to work on," head coach Caitlyn Kirkpatrick said. "They're out here trying every day."
"It's game by game," she said. "We're trying to push through feeling down on ourselves."
The girls weren't able to muster points against Somerville's man-to-man press and height.  Senior Klara Russell scored the team's 13 points.
"No one else was making their shots. They out pressed us," the coach said. "We couldn't get anything accomplished."
The game was a stark contrast from the Humble Christian win, when freshman Kylie Bates led the team with 22 points and Russell added seven. Russell and junior Makayla Rogers led in rebounds.
Russell understands the need for improvement, especially in "hustling and breaking down the other teams' defenses," she said. 
"I feel like I'm playing a lot better, shooting and dribbling as well as rebounding," she said.
She likes to shoot three-pointers and said her shooting has improved because she is being more selective in her attempts. Her rebounding has gotten better because she said she is "more aggressive going to the ball."