Lady Raiders extend win streak

by John R. McNeil II

Victories over Bridgeport and Manson last week placed the Lady Raiders solidly atop the Central Washington North with just five games left in the regular season.

Against the Fillies Jan. 22, the Lady Raiders took to the court without leading senior scorer Danielle Laramie who took time out to heal some minor injuries.

Katelynn Schilling stepped up to fill the void, putting together a double-double with 20 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Lady Raiders to a very convincing 68-24 win.

Unable to score in the first four minutes of the game, Bridgeport fell behind by halftime 32-13.

In the second quarter, LR’s Tanecia Stanczak and Hailey Chaney left the court with injuries. Stanczak’s knee buckled on her while going for a loose ball but after sitting out the rest of the second quarter, she returned for the second half. Chaney fell hard on her knee and did not return to the game.

The red-hot Lady Raiders’ offense put the Fillies out to pasture in the third, racking up 30 points to push the lead past the 40-point mercy rule. So for the entire fourth quarter the game had a running clock. Head Coach Wallace Pleasants unloaded the bench and set the cruise control to close out the game and the win.

“The girls have been working hard and we were able to work on some things that will help us down the road,” Pleasants commented after the win.

“Katelynn (Schilling) really had a better offensive performance getting a double-double, Tanecia Stanczak continues to be a scoring threat in the paint, and the Epperson twins get more quality playing time against quality opponents, which will help us when the postseason comes around,” Pleasants said.

When the Lady Raiders took the court last Friday to play the Manson Trojans, they were again without Laramie, but also had to play without Hailey Chaney who took time out to rest her knee. Even so, the Lady Raiders jumped out to a 19-2 lead in the first quarter.

In the second quarter Coach Pleasants played many of the non-starters to slow down the scoring and to give them playing time in a different situation, one they could find themselves in the postseason. At the half, the Lady Raiders had a comfortable lead, LR 35- Manson 8.

Manson’s defense stiffened in the third, and their offense more potent as they started to challenge the Lady Raiders. The game also started to get rough down in the paint as Schilling was double teamed and everyone was mugged on their way to the basket. Then Keya Fast Horse and Rickyna Sam got hot and hit three 3s to close out the quarter, 47-20.

In the fourth the Trojans continued to play strong but were too far behind to come back. The final score was LR 56, Manson 30.

Schilling scored 14 points and challenged the big girl from Manson for control of the boards. Fast Horse led LR scoring with 18.

Last night the Lady Raiders travelled to Entiat for the last North Central League contest

They travel to Liberty Bell tomorrow for a 6 p.m. game. Saturday at 4:30 p.m. they host the CWL 2B South-leading Riverside Christian Crusaders.

Bridgeport

Baldovinos 0, Monje-Lopez 8, Torres 2, Melasquez 1, Perea 0, Ag. Herrejon 2, Rios 0, Martinez 0, Salazar 3, Ai. Herrejon 4, Varrelman 4.

Lake Roosevelt

R. Epperson 0, Sam 16, Chaney 0, Palmer 0, Wilson 0, Fasthorse 7, McCraigie 15, Stanczak 4, A. Epperson 6, Schilling 20.

Manson

Meff 0, Sanchez 3, Guillen 4, Walters 4, Vanderholm 9, Russell 2, Castro 8, Machus 0

Lake Roosevelt

R. Epperson 0, Sam 7, Palmer 6, Wilson 0, Fasthorse 18, McCraigie 5, Stanczak 4, A. Epperson 2, Schilling 14

Central Washington 2B Standings

Riverside Chris. 9-5 4-0

White Swan 11-6 5-1

LR 11-4 6-1

Oroville 8-8 4-3

Manson 3-9 2-4

Bridgeport 4-10 1-4

Kittitas 3-8 0-3

Liberty Bell 0-13 0-5