Tough losses followed by solid win for LR Raiders

The Raiders suffered two losses, one league, one non-league, but closed out last week with a solid win.

The Raiders are third in the Central Washington 2B league with a 4-2 league win-loss record, 5-3 overall.

Brewster and Oroville are at the top of the league, both with a 5-1, 6-2 record.

Tonasket is fourth right behind the Raiders at 4-2, 4-3.

The Raiders played in Okanogan in a non-league game on Dec .18, losing 75-56.

"We didn't come out ready to go," remarked Assistant Coach Ty Egbert. "We dug ourselves a hole, couldn't get out of it. We battled, though."

In Brewster on Dec. 20, the Bears mauled the Raiders 66-36.

"Brewster was just a rough game," said Head Coach Jeremy Crollard. "We didn't shoot well. We can't get down 20 points against a good team like that. Once we were in the hole in the first quarter it was tough to recover against that good a team."

Crollard spoke about what he hopes his team learns from the tough losses. "I hope they come out with a bit more intensity, a bit more fire and passion. We can't come out flat against good teams."

The Raiders did come out with fire on their home court Saturday, defeating Warden in a non-league game, 56-42.

The game was close, with the Raiders leading by only three points, 27-24 at halftime.

The Raiders scored another 29 points in the second half, holding Warden to 18.

"The whole team played well defensively," Crollard said. "Hunter Whitelaw played tough and led us in rebounds. Sam Wapato, Jonathon Cante, and Trevor McCraigie led the offense. Overall it was a good win, and the team is starting to play better together and gel as a unit."

LR will compete in the Eagle Holiday Classic at West Valley High School in Spokane on Thursday and Friday. On Thursday, the Raiders play against Medical Lake in gym #2 at 12 p.m. On Friday, they play Colton in gym #2 at 5 p.m.