Lady Raiders Basketball Season end in District championship game

March 4, 2021

The 2020-2021 Lawrence-Nelson girls basketball team ended their season just one game away from the state tournament as they suffered a loss in the district championship game last week. The girls defeated two higher seeded teams in the sub-district games, but could not get pass the number two seed, Falls City Sacred Heart team. Members of the team, shown with the 'District Runner-Up' plaque are (from left, back row) Mr. Kucera, student manager Anaya Rasmussen, Danyelle Church, Riley Funk, Claire Himmelberg, Bailey Ceder, Sydney Biltoft, Jessica Sole, (head coach) Andrew Peterson. (middle row) Katelyn Mazour, Aleah Heikkinen, Emma Epley, Elsa Jorgensen, Emily Troudt, (front row) Tori Miller, Emily Miller, McKenzie Ostdiek, Avery Mazour and Alex Miller, (Not pictured is student manager Kara Menke).

The L-N Lady Raiders' basketball team persevered through a season affected by a national pandemic and some of the most severe winter weather on record. However, their season ended in the championship game of the District D2-2 tournament. The local girls were the No. 15 seed of the 16 teams still playing basketball before the State Tournament. They played the No. 2 team in Falls City Sacred Heart in the District finals and were defeated by a score of 31-58.

The girls won both games in the sub-district tournament against higher

rated teams, but the usual steady play of the Lady Raiders was disrupted by Falls City (FC) tight zone defense enhanced by a full court press at times.

The season ending game gave the Lady Raiders a season record of 10 wins and 14 losses. The game against the No. 2 seeded team in Class D-2 was

a tough nut to crack. The taller FC team used a stingy zone defense to keep the Raider's ball away from the basket and FC's rebounding often gave them second chances at the basket.

FC had an outstanding first half of play. They hit 50 percent of their field

goals and more than 60 percent from the free throw line.

L-N played FC even up in the second half as each team scored 19 points.

The Lady Raiders just could not overcome the deficit they were under by half time. The excitement of the last half were a pair of 3-pt. shots. Elsa Jorgensen hit one from about half court as the buzzer went off at the end of the third period and Mackenzie Ostdiek made a long 3-pt. shot at the end of the game.

The girls played well, but could not quite match the No. 2 seeded team.

Seven players scored in the game, but only Emily Miller hit double figures with 12.

The high sSchool basketball playing days as a member of the Lady Raider team end for five seniors on the team. They are: Tori Miller, Emily Miller, Avery Mazour, McKenzie Ostdiek and Alex Miller.

(Scoring, rebounds, assists): Tori Miller 0, 1, 0; Emily Miller 12, 6, 0; Aleah Heikkinen 2, 2, 1; Avery Mazour 4, 2, 0; McKenzie Ostdiek 3, 2, 0: Elsa Jorgensen 5, 1, 2: Emma Epley 3, 1, 2; Katelyn Mazour 0, 3, 1; Alex Miller 0, 3, 2; Sydney Biltoft 2, 0, 0; L-N: 31, 21, 8; Falls City Sacred Heart 58, No stats.

Three points shots: L-N 3-9: Emily Miller 1-1, Mackenzie Ostdiek 1-1, Elsa Jorgensen 1-1; FC 3-10.

Free throws: L-N 6-14: Emily M. 3-5, Aleah 0-3, Emma 3-4, Katelyn 0-2;

FCSH 9-16.

Fouls: L-N 14; FCSH 14.