Lady Raiders win one of two games last week

That second win of the year was a long time in coming. The course ran through seven teams in larger classes than L-N, but it did come last Thursday in the game against Giltner. The girls split their games during the week as they lost to McCool Junction in a Tuesday night game. The game summaries:

L-N – GILTNER: 44-28: The Lady Raiders had control of this game from the opening tip-off. It was probably only fitting that the first points of the game came from Aleah Heikkinen since she ended up being the high scorer for the Lady Raider with 15 points.

However, an argument could be made that 'defense' won this game. In the first period alone, L-N forced 8 turnovers from Giltner and allowed Giltner only six shooting attempts. That first period gave L-N most of the victory margin. Quarter scores:

L-N 12 11 14 7 - 44

Giltner 3 12 8 5 - 28

The Raider defense, in fact, allowed Giltner only that one field goal in the first 12 minutes of play, giving L-N a 21-3 lead at the time. Giltner did have a bit of a scoring surge the end of the 2nd period and beginning of the third period, cutting the Raider lead down to six points (23-17) before L-N snapped a mini-scoring drought.

In fact, L-N canned 6-11 field goals during the last half of the third period as they extended their lead again.

Coach Peterson used the game to allow everyone suited up a little varsity game experience and 12 players posted figures to the statistics. Emma Epley joined Heikkinen in double figure scoring with 10 points and seven players in all recorded scoring figures and 11 players had at least one rebound.

(Scoring, rebounds, assists): Sydney Biltoft 6-4-0: Danyelle Church 2, 1, 0; Jessica Sole 0, 0, 0 Claire Himmelberg 0, 2, 0; Aleah Heikkinen 15, 8, 3; Emily Troudt 4, 3, 2; Elsa Jorgensen 2, 2, 2; Hanna Skinner 0, 0, 0; Bailey Ceder 0, 1, 0; Emma Epley 10, 7, 0; Katelyn Mazour 5, 3, 1; Kylie Beard 0, 3, 0; Kara Menke 0, 3, 1.

L-N: 44. 37. 9.

Giltner: 28, ?, ?.

Three points shots: L-N: 3-19: Emma 2-7; Katelyn 1-5; Giltner: 2-9.

Free Throws: L-N: 3-5: Sydney 2-3, Aleah 1-2; Giltner: 4-6.

Fouls: L-N: 13; Giltner: 5.

L-N – McCOOL JUCTION: 32-42: Many sports activities have a "what if" question to the outcome. Last week's trip to McCool Junction (McJ) was maybe such a game.

McJ started the game with two 3-pt. shots that fell through the hoop. The Lady Raiders fought toe-to-toe with them however and trailed only 5-6 with about three minutes left in the first period. However, McJ found the way to the basket was over the heads of the Lady Raiders as 12 of their first 14 points came from behind the 3-Pt. arc. Emma Epley and Sydney Biltoft scored the first five Raider points and Aleah Heikkinen put in the other two right before the first period buzzer.

"If you're hot . . . you're hot" and that's what McJ lived on for the game. 3-Pt. shots. They sank 8-18 for 44 percent shooting which was higher than their 2-pt. shooting. Scoring for the last three periods was almost even, but those 8 extra points from the 3-pt. arc provided McJ with most of their victory margin.

L-N had a rebounding margin of 27-20, but they also gave up more turnovers than they got.

Emma was the only Raider in double figures with 13 and led in rebounding with 7 while Aleah had 6.

(Scoring, rebounds, assists): Sydney Biltoft 2, 5, 0: Claire Himmelberg 0, 2, 0; Aleah Heikkinen 8, 6, 1; Emily Troudt 3, 1, 0; Elsa Jorgensen 2, 3, 2; Emma Epley 13, 7, 3; Kylie Beard 0, 1, 0; Kara Menke 4, 2, 1.

L-N: 32, 27, 7.

McCool Junction: 42, 20, 8.

Three points shots: L-N: 1-14: Emma: 1-5. McJ.: 8-18.

Free Throws: L-N: 5-8: Sydney 2-4, Emily 1-2, Emma 2-2; McJ.: 0-0.

Fouls: L-N 9; McJ.: 10.

Right in the middle of the basketball season, the girls have a busy week ahead. Tuesday, they entertained Rock Hills and on Friday they traveled to Kenesaw and on Saturday, they entertained Axtell. Next Tuesday they travel to Deshler.