Coming or going . . . the L-N Lady Raiders had a good week of basketball last week. Two victories evened their season record at 5-5 as they enter the last half of the season. The games were different as McCool Junction brought in a strong team, the girls had to conquer for the win. Giltner is struggling this season and the Lady Raiders jumped all over them and rolled to an easy victory.

L-N – McCOOL JUNCTION: 39-28: There's nothing like jumping right back into action following the holidays. The Lady Raiders first game was with Class D-1, McCool Junction (MJ) who was carrying a 6-1 record at the time of the game.

If you were a fan and left after the first period, you would have been in for a surprise when you heard the final score. The box score:

L-N 4 16 11 8 - 39

MJ 11 2 8 7 - 28

It was a slow start for both teams, but MJ managed five points in the first three minutes and Emily Miller's lone basket was all L-N managed. The Lady Raiders gave up almost half of their game's turnovers in this first period as MJ played pretty steady and forged the early lead.

I'm not sure what Coach Peterson said at this first quarter beak, but as you can see by the box score above, something changed. Most obvious, the Raider defense kept a clamp on MJ not allowing a single field goal throughout the entire eight minutes of play. In addition, L-N forced nine turnovers. A team doesn't win games with defense only, and L-N put together a 16 point scoring splash from a variety of players to go ahead and stay ahead 20-13 at half time.

The Raiders maintained and widened their lead throughout the final 16 minutes of play. L-N suffered a four minutes scoring drought towards the end of the game, but managed to maintain their composure to record their fourth victory of the season.

Emily Miller recorded her 4th 'double-double' in scoring and rebounding for the season. Aleah Heikkinen and Elsa Jorgenson had season high scoring numbers with Avery Mazour having a season high rebounding game and Emma Epley having a season high and game high four assists.

(Scoring, rebounds, assists): Tori Miller 0, 1, 0; Emily Miller 14, 11, 2; Aleah Heikkinen 8, 5, 2; Avery Mazour 2, 5, 1; Emily Troudt 0, 1, 0; McKenzie Ostdiek 4, 2, 0: Elsa Jorgensen 7, 4, 1: Emma Epley 4, 4, 4; Katelyn Mazour 0, 2, 3; Alex Miller 0, 1, 0; L-N: 39, 36, 13; McCool Junction 28, 27, 6.

Three points shots: L-N: 1-6; Elsa 1-2; McCool Junction: 1-12.

Free throws: L-N 4-9: Emily M. 0-1; Aleah 4-5; Avery 0-1, Emma 0-1, Katelyn 0-1; McCool Junction 7-14.

Fouls: L-N 15, McCool Junction: 13.

L-N – GILTNER: 60-35: The Lady Raiders traveled north to visit that old rival, Giltner on Thursday evening. Giltner is also a D-2 school, but their girls are having a tough time on the basketball court this season, coming into the game with a record of 1-8. Giltner did not help themselves with this game as the Lady Raiders scored their season high number of points, allowing all the players to pick up varsity experience.

The pace of the game was set at the very beginning when Aleah Heikkinen scored the first two points of the game as a result of her hustle to get the tip-off ball. From there Emily Miller scored six points in the next two minutes to keep the Lady Raiders on goal to score their most points in a game this season. L-N hit five of their first six shots. Defense ? ? ? Yes, the Raiders forced 11 turnovers in the first period with their full court press.

Quarter 2: Emma Epley scored the first four points in about a minute's time followed up quickly by seven points by Elsa Jorgensen, and Emily Miller. In the final three minutes of the quarter Avery Mazour and Emma both hit 3-pt. shots as L-N's lead grew at half time to 33-16. The box score:

L-N 16 17 21 6 - 60

Giltner 6 10 12 7 - 35

The third period closely resembled the first period with everyone's contribution to 40 percent field goal shooting. The game maybe can be described by a number of 'high' marks for a number of players: Emily M .: 1st triple-double for the season (scoring, rebounding and steals) and 2nd high number of points scored; Elsa: season high points and scoring on 7 of 8 field goal shots. Her first of the season scoring in double figures; Emma: 2nd high in scoring for the season; Katelyn's four steals were a high for her. Five players (Aleah, Avery, Elsa, Emma and Katelyn) each had three assists leading to a season high 16 for a game; in all, seven players scored for the game.

(Scoring, rebounds, assists): Tori Miller 0, 0, 0; Emily Miller 18, 10 1; Aleah Heikkinen 4, 5, 3; Avery Mazour 8, 1, 3; Emily Troudt 0, 4, 0; McKenzie Ostdiek 2, 1, 0: Elsa Jorgensen 14, 2, 3: Emma Epley 12, 5, 3; Katelyn Mazour 0, 3, 3; Alex Miller 0, 3, 0; Sydney Biltoft 2, 0, 0; L-N: 60, 34, 16; Giltner: 35, ?, ?.

Three points shots: L-N: 3-11: Avery 2-4, Emma 1-1; Giltner: 1-11.

Free throws: L-N: Emma 1-1, Emily 0-2, Aleah 0-3; Giltner: 5-10.

Fouls: L-N: 15; Giltner: 10.

A busy week ahead sees a trip to Rock Hills on Tuesday; a visit by Kenesaw on Friday and a trip to Axtell on Saturday afternoon. Next week the girls entertain Deshler on Tuesday night.