Beth Madill, coach of the Enumclaw High girls basketball team, broke out Skor candy bars during Saturday’s practice session, awarding the sweet treats to those able to bury jump shots.

Whereas Saturday turnouts are usually dedicated to honing fundamentals, the second-year coach had to make a point: her Hornets have to score more points to get back on the winning track.

During the Hornets’ last three contests, all losses, the team has averaged just 35 points. Katina Ferguson has been getting her points in the middle and Katie Holland has shown the ability to put points on the board, but Madill emphasizes the need for just a bit more. She would like to see three Hornets in double figures each game.

Shooting has been below par recently, but Madill remains confident.

“By the time league rolls around, I think we’ll be shooting a better percentage,” she said.

And, despite shooting woes, Madill is impressed with other facets of the Hornets’ game.

“Defensively, we’re improving each game,” she said, adding that her crew looks more comfortable on the court with each passing game.

Last week wasn’t kind to the Hornets, who dropped a 52-37 contest at Sumner High Dec. 7 and followed that with a 51-39, home-court loss Friday to the Yelm Tornadoes.

Madill realizes her squad is facing some tough opposition. Yelm made a state tournament appearance a year ago and Sumner came up just a bit short of a state trip. The first of the three straight losses was to a White River crew that has made a habit of playing in the state tourney.

“Those are seasoned clubs in terms of knowing what it takes to win,” she said.

During Friday’s loss to Yelm, EHS stayed close nearly all the way. In the final quarter the visitors made a couple of shots, Enumclaw missed a couple and the Tornadoes buried free throws down the stretch to pull away.

Ferguson paced the Enumclaw offense with 12 points.

During the loss at Sumner, Holland led the way with 11 points.