Lady Raiders finish districts with a pair of close losses, prepare for regionals

The Lady Raiders, competing at the Central Washington 2B District 5-6 Tournament, suffered two close losses over the weekend, first to White Swan and then to Tri-Cities Prep. Now the Lady Raiders are preparing to play Mabton in regionals.

Playing White Swan on Feb. 16 in Granger, Lake Roosevelt lost 57-53.

"It was a hard-fought game against White Swan," said Lady Raider Head Coach Wallace Pleasants. "Both teams played extremely well from start to finish. We gave up an eight-point lead and were not able to overcome it."

Kayla St. Pierre led the Lady Raiders with 12 points, followed by Shantana Pakootas and Kelsie Olbricht, who each added nine.

Playing Tri-Cities Prep the following day, LR lost 54-50.

"Another tight game throughout," Pleasants said. "This game wasn't managed well at all; however, the girls played their hearts out for the game to end the way it did."

LR was given a technical in a one-point game during a dead ball substitution. "We finished under protest," Pleasants said.

The game was delayed several minutes with less than a minute on the clock as Pleasants had words with officials.

LR fans booed loudly.

Khani Priest, with her calm three-point shots and dependable free-throw shooting, led the Lady Raiders with 12 points, followed by Olbricht with 10.

Moving onto the regional tournament, the 15th-seeded Lady Raiders play the 10th-seeded Mabton at Davis High School in Yakima on Friday, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m.

White Swan 57 LR 53

LR Points: St. Pierre 12; Pakootas 9; Olbricht 9; Ludwig 7; Reyes 4; Priest 4; Wapato 3; Edmo 3; Clark 2

Tri-Cities Prep 54 LR 50

LR Points: Priest 12; Olbricht 10; St. Pierre 9; Pakootas 6; Reyes 5; Clark 4; Edmo 2; Ludwig 2