The Raider’s boys team played two games on their home court last week and won both as they prepared for the Twin Valley Conference Tournament being played this week. Logan Menke recorded a season high in scoring against Blue Hill and Krayton Kucera recorded a season high in scoring against Silver Lake. Both games were well played and showed improvement in the overall team play. The game summaries:

L-N – BLUE HILL: 45-41: Inviting your neighbors over to play can sometimes not turn out too well. However, for those of us who just watch the boys play, it can turn out very well . . . ‘O, I think the Raider players enjoyed it as well.

In a game delayed by the January snow storm last week, Blue Hill came to visit the Raiders on Thursday night and the Raider fans were treated to a nicely played game and a victory by a score of 45-41.

L-N 16 10 7 12 – 45

Blue Hill 13 8 6 14 – 41

The first four minutes of the game was about as good of a game anyone might want. For example: In the first 4 minutes of the game L-N made 5-6 field goals and Blue Hill made 3-5; each team had one turnover and there were no fouls called and no ‘jump balls’.

Cole Troudt scored first, but was quickly followed by scoring from Logan Menke, Krayton Kucera and Tyson Kotinek. The game remained close through the first period. This part of the game was highlighted by a couple of old-fashioned “give-and-go” plays with Keith Miller being the key ‘Post’ player.

Quarter 2: Trevor Biltoft started this period off in grand fashion with a drive to the basket for two point just seconds into action. One highlight was a Raider steal with the ball ended up in the hands of Logan. He drove the length of the floor and only through several awkward steps did he succeed in his drive to the basket. Blue Hill did have a 5-0 scoring run in the last three minutes of the period to keep close.

Quarter 3: Blue Hill had a 4-0 scoring run early in this period and closed the score to where L-N led by one point, 26-25. But then Krayton rippled the nets with a 3-pt. shot, Blake Wroughton made two free throws and Keith continued to work under the basket for two more as L-N outscored Blue Hill 7-2 in the last five minutes of the period.

Quarter 4: The teams traded points throughout the final period with Blue Hill scoring last with three seconds to play. Rebounding seemed to be a key factor for the Raiders with Logan leading the team with ten and Trevor finding the ball at key times with seven.

Logan had a season high 18 points and had a double/double with 10 rebounds. Interestingly, there was not a single ‘Jump-Ball’ in the game.

(Scoring, rebounds, assists): Trevor Biltoft 3, 7, 2; Cole Troudt 6, 3, 1; Krayton Kucera 8, 2, 4; Logan Menke 19, 10, 2; Tyson Kotinek 3, 1, 0; Blake Wroughton 2, 1, 0; Keith Miller 5, 3, 4; Erik Wheeland 0, 0, 0. L-N 45, 27, 13; Blue Hill: No stats.

Three points shots: L-N 7-19: Krayton 2-5, Logan 4-8, Tyson 1-2; Blue Hill: 3-17.

Free throws: L-N 4-11: Trevor 1-2, Cole 0-2, Krayton 0-1, Blake 2-2, Keith 1-4; Blue Hill 6-9.

Fouls: L-N 10; Blue Hill 11.

L/N – SILVER LAKE: 44-38:

Here’s what we know . . . * everyone likes a little excitement every once in a while; * everyone needs a challenge; * Sometimes you just have to save your best until the end.

Doesn’t say much for a basketball game . . . unless you’re talking about the Raider – Silver Lake (SL) game of last Friday evening. The first point: * excitement: SL came into the game with a 9-4 record and having the 2nd highest scoring player in south-central Nebraska on the squad. * Challenge: give your opponent a 12 point gift early in the second period as L-N trailed 2-14 at that point. * Save your best: L-N missed their first 15 field goal attempts in the game but in the fourth period they made 5-10 (50 percent) of their field goals and then made 7 - 8 free throws (87 percent) in that same 4th period.

L-N 2 14 11 17 – 44

Silver Lake 8 10 11 9 – 36

Quarter 1: The only points the Raiders scored was a free throw each from Keith Miller and Krayton Kucera, but on the bright side, they held SL shooting stars to only 3 field goals.

Quarter 2: SL scored six point early in this period before Trevor Biltoft tore the lid off the Raider basket with about 1 _ minutes off the clock. However, with that basket L-N outscored SL 14-4 as Krayton, Blake Wroughton and Logan Menke combined to pull to within two points 16-18 at half time.

Quarter 3: The teams traded points but L-N did earn a slight lead at one point before SL regained the lead: 27-29.

Quarter 4: Fifteen seconds into the final period and Krayton tied the score at 29-29. Shortly after that Trevor worked his way to the basket, Logan had a steal and lay-up before Krayton scored again. To drive the point home about saving the best to the last . . . The Raiders made 7 of 8 free throws in the final minutes of play. That 4th period saw L-N make 87 percent of their free throws and 50 percent of their field goals. Quite a nice way to finish the game.

Krayton and Logan both scored in double figures with Krayton hitting a season high 20 points. Trevor also had a season high scoring night.

The win gives the boys a record of 7-10 as they go into the Twin Valley Conference Tournament this week.

(Scoring, rebounds, assists): Trevor Biltoft 8. 4. 0; Cole Troudt 0. 2. 1; Krayton Kucera 20, 4, 2; Logan Menke 11, 5, 1; Tyson Kotinek 2, 4, 1; Blake Wroughton 2, 2, 0; Keith Miller 1, 4, 1; Clay Williams 0, 0, 0; L-N 44, 25, 6; Silver Lake 38, 0, 0 no stats.

Three points shots: L-N 3-18: Krayton 2-7, Logan 1-4; Silver Lake 5-17.

Free throws: L-N 11-14: Trevor 2-2, Krayton 6-8, Logan 2-2, Keith 1-2.

Fouls: L-N 11, Silver Lake 16.