The Superior Express -

The L-N Lady Raiders picked up their third victory of the season last week as the New Year part of the season begins. The win came over Giltner and was the largest "margin of victory" for the girls this season.

The win gives the local girls a 3-8 record to date, but it interesting to note who the girls are playing this season. For the season, 16 opponents for L-N are class D-1 or larger schools. Of the eight losses this season to date, seven of the schools are class D-1 or larger. All three victories are over D-2 schools.

Whatever happened in the past, it seems the girls are getting better as the season goes on. It is just a tough row playing larger schools. The communities support the girls and wish them the best of luck as the season continues. Game summaries:

GIRLS – GILTNER: 45-17: A quick look at the score by quarters indicate maybe a defensive victory:

L-/N 15 13 15 4 - 47

Giltner 2 3 4 8 - 17

Defense play a very important role considering points allowed. After all, the Raiders forced 22 turnover while giving up 11; L-N had 35 rebounds to 30 for Giltner; L-N allowed only four Giltner field goals.

This 30 point margin of victory is the best for the Raiders this season to date. It didn't "just happen," it came on the backs of all of the team. Some of the highlights: • seven players scored in the game; • early in the game Hanna Skinner had a steal and layup to follow; • later in the first period Jessica Sole had back-to-back 3-pt. shot; • late in the second period Hanna led a 'fast-break' resulting in her lay-up; • early in the third period, Jessica had another 3 pt. shot fall that contributed to her team high 16 points; • late in the game Danyelle Church blocked a Giltner shot.

Hanna Skinner had 13 pts, 8 rebounds and 4 assists while Kara Menke had another double-double with 10 pts. and 11 rebounds.

Everyone on the team got playing time in this game and everyone contributed in one way or another. If they didn't score, they had rebounds, assists, steals or deflections. Coach Kennedy gave all players as much time as he could.

Game stats: (FG, FT, RB. Pts.)

Addi McCloskey 1-8, 0-0, 2, 2

Brook Combs-Glebe 0-4, 2-2, 4, 2

Jessica Sole 6-12, 1-2, 2, 16

Vali Koehler 0-0, 0-0, 2, 0

Hadley Ostdiek 1-3, 0-0, 0, 2

Hanna Skinner 5-7, 2-4, 8, 13

Kara Menke 5-7, 0-0, 11, 10

Josie Hajny 0-2, 0-0, 2, 0

Kynnedy Beale 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0

Natalia Wehrman 0-2, 0-0, 0, 0

Danyelle Church 1-7, 0-2, 2, 2

L/N total: 19-52, 5-10, 35, 47

Giltner total: 4-32, 9-18, 30, 17

GIRLS – McCOOL JUNCTION: 11-62: The New Year saw the Lady Raiders losing in a big way for the first game of the year. The game got off to a shaky start and didn't improve after that:

L-N 5 4 2 0 - 11

McCool J. 29 14 10 9 - 62

The MJ domination came in most areas of the game, but not all. L-N had a 29-25 edge in rebounds but saw MJ shoot over 40 percent of their field goals while making only13 percent themselves. It was a tough game against MJ who carries an 8-3 record at this point in the season.

Game stats: (FG, FT, RB. Pts.)

Addi McCloskey 0-3, 0-0, 1, 0

Brook Combs-Glebe 0-1, 0-0, 1, 0

Jessica Sole 1-2, 0-0, 1, 2

Vali Koehler 0-2, 2-2, 4, 2

Hadley Ostdiek 0-1, 0-0, 0, 0

Hanna Skinner 0-2, 0-2, 5, 0

Kara Menke 2-7, 2-2, 8, 6

Josie Hajny 0-2, 1-2, 3, 1

Kynnedy Beale 0-1, 0-0, 0, 0

Natalia Wehrman 0-1, 0-2, 3, 0

Danyelle Church 0-0, 0-0, 1, 0

L/N total: 3-22, 5-10, 29, 11

McCool: 21-54, 15-19, 25, 62

GIRLS – GOTHENBURG: 15-76: The opening game in the Holiday tournament out west in Hershey, Nebraska, didn't turn out well for the Lady Raiders. Class C-1 Gothenburg with a 10-1 record shot over 50 percent from the field to earn this victory. L-N held its own in rebounding 23-25 and made 70 percent of their free throw as their highlight for the game in addition to Addi McCloskey making 4 of 4 free throws. Turnovers were the significant events that hurt L-N. The Raiders gave up 46 turnovers while forcing only 12.

The score by quarter:

L-N 7 4 4 0 - 15

Gothenburg 29 18 19 10 - 76

Game stats: (FG, FT, RB. Pts.)

Addi McCloskey 0-4, 4-4, 4, 4

Brook Combs-Glebe 0-0, 1-2, 2, 1

Jessica Sole 0-1, 1-2, 2, 1

Vali Koehler 0-0, 0-0, 3, 0

Hadley Ostdiek 0-1, 0-0, 0, 0

Hanna Skinner 0-4, 0-0, 2, 0

Kara Menke 4-7, 0-0, 6, 8

Josie Hajny 0-0, 1-2, 2, 1

Danyelle Church 0-0, 0-0, 1, 0

L-N total: 4-17, 7-10, 23, 15

Gothenburg: 33-67, 4-5, 25, 76

GIRLS – DONIPHAN-TRUMBULL: 25-37: For the second game of the Holiday Tournament in Hershey, L-N was matched up with class C-2 Doniphan-Trumbull. The Lady Raiders were down to start the game, but a defensive effort in the third period resulted in D-T scoring 'zero' points. However, the Lady Raiders just couldn't overcome the larger margin D-T earned in the first half of play.

L-N 7 8 9 1 - 25

D-T 16 13 0 8 - 37

A day after shooting 70 percent of their free throws, the girls managed only 5-21 against D-T or 24 percent. Kara Menke recorded another 'double-double' for the season with 12 pts. and 10 rebounds.

Game stats: (FG, FT, RB. Pts.)

Surrounded by taller Giltner defenders, Kynnedy Beale, Lawrence-Nelson, looks at the basket as an outlet for her situation trying to help her teammates win their third game of the season.

Addi McCloskey 0-7, 1-6, 1, 1

Brook Combs-Glebe 0-0, 0-0, 3, 0

Jessica Sole 2-9, 1-2, 5, 7

Vali Koehler 0-0, 0-2, 0, 0

Hanna Skinner 0-6, 1-8, 8, 1

Kara Menke 5-10, 2-3, 10, 12

Josie Hajny 2-7, 0-0, 6, 4

L/N total: 9-39, 5-21, 37, 25

D/T total: 15-47, 5-9, 25, 37

Games scheduled this week see Mankato coming to Nelson on Tuesday, weather permitting and then a trip to Kenesaw on Friday.