Ladies second after three losses

The Lady Raiders had a bit of a rough week, but are still second in the Central Washington 2B league with a 5-1 league win-loss record, 5-3 overall.

The Lady Raiders played in Okanogan in a non-league game on Dec. 18, losing 37-33.

"We laid an egg," said Head Coach Peewee Pleasants. "I don't think we could have played any worse a game from an offensive standpoint. Our defense is what kept us in, gave us an opportunity to try to win down the stretch. That's one thing we can lay our hat on is our defense."

In Brewster on Dec. 20, the Lady Bears defeated the Lady Raiders 51-44.

After Brewster took an early 18-point lead, the Lady Raiders tried to get back in the game. "It was one of those we went in and made the adjustments, and we were chipping away and chipping away," Pleasants said. "We just ran out of time. If there was a fifth quarter, I think we could have pulled that one out."

"Our girls sometimes put too much pressure on themselves," Pleasants added, "and then when they finally relax they play some really good basketball. And that's what I hope they continue to do is just relax and play good basketball."

Brewster leads the league with a 6-0 league record, 7-1 overall.

In Coulee Dam on Dec. 22, Warden defeated the Lady Raiders in a non-league game, 63-43.

Warden is ranked fourth in the state.

"We didn't have any knowledge of the way they play or the type of team they were, so it was one of those where we try to make the adjustments on the fly," Pleasants said. "At halftime, we talked about the physical aspect of the game. They bring the physical play; you have to bring it right back. I think we learned you have to start the game with lots of energy, being physical."

Pleasants highlighted Lily Clark as a key Lady Raider player.

"Lily Clark, she stepped up for us tonight," Pleasants said. "She got us going in the second half. Her physical play, her aggressiveness attacking the basket, her shooting, that was huge for us tonight. She's been working on that to get the team better."

LR will compete in the Eagle Holiday Classic at West Valley High School in Spokane on Thursday and Friday. On Thursday, LR is scheduled to play Liberty in gym #2 at 1:30 p.m. On Friday, LR plays against Lakeside in gym #2 at 9 a.m.