The Green River Lady Pirates have had their struggles this season, the first one was fielding a team. This years team consists of just five players, two of which have never played before and just played to help out their friends. Green River collected their first win of the season last Friday against Manila at the Holiday Classic tournament, but this is a team that’s about more than wins and losses.

The Pirates traveled to Manila last weekend playing four games in two days and coming off a loss to Grand two days before. Four games in that time span can be a grueling task for any team let alone one with just five players, but they went and competed and made their school proud.

The first game of the weekend was against the Rangely Panthers from Colorado. Abigail Erwin scored 24 points in the 49-36 loss with Jenilee Keener adding 12.

In game two on Friday, the Pirates faced host team Manila, and behind Erwin’s 16 and Keener’s 12, Green River registered their first win of the season 30-25. After the victory the Pirates would take the evening off to prepare for two more games the next day.

On Saturday morning, at 10 a.m., they were back on the court to face the Rowland Hall Winged Lions. Erwin put forth another double digit effort with 19 but it wasn’t enough as the Pirates lost the contest 30-25.

Intermountain Christian was next up for Green River at 1 p.m.. The Pirates would lose this game as well 64-36.

Unfortunately one of the players on the team has an ankle injury and Green River has had to forfeit all scheduled games this week. But it hasn’t changed this teams resolve. In an email from Green River Athletic Director Sheri Vetere she talked about this group of friends.

“Hopefully we are back in play next week. On that note, our girls have made us so proud, they play from their heart, no matter how hard it is. They do not get a rest, two girls have never played basketball before. They played to help out their friends. They never give up and have a great attitude, they even won a game at the tournament they went to. They are pretty good, just get exhausted.”

If all goes well The Lady Pirates will be back on the floor to face Merit Prep on Dec. 14 on the road.