Tigercats set to face Garfield-Palouse in final league game

The LaCrosse-Washtucna/Kahlotus Tigercats only have a single game remaining before the season draws to a close. After a hard fought season, the Tigercats have been unable to earn a win, but it has not deterred the team from playing the full 32 minutes every game.

The Tigercats began last week on the road against St. John-Endicott in an effort to earn a league win. The Eagles earned the senior night win with a final score of 52-28 over the Tigercats after an intense and physical game between the two teams.

The first quarter of the game remained competitive, but the Eagles used a strong scoring effort in the second quarter to blaze ahead of the Tigercats. After only trailing by two points in the first quarter, the Tigercats were outscored 18-3.

The Tigercats were unable to close the margin against the Eagles for the remainder of the night, as the team struggled to get open looks at the hoop. The Tigercats battled back in the fourth quarter, only being outscored by two points by the Eagles.

Chance Rice scored 10 points for the Tigercats. Cole Evans had six points and Jacob Johnson earned four points.

Kaese Ramos and Cameron Ellis each hit a 3-pointer, and Derek McKeen rounded out the scoring with two points.

On Saturday night the Tigercats hosted the Liberty Christian Patriots in the final home game of the season. The night also served as an opportunity to honor six senior Tigercat athletes.

Liberty Christian jumped out to an early lead by forcing turnovers against the Tigercats. The LWK team sank two three-point shots in the first quarter for the only points to start the game.

The Patriots used tough defensive pressure from their zone defense to cause issues for the Tigercats throughout the game. The most detrimental defensive strategy to the LWK team proved to be the two-man trap on the wing position, causing the Tigercats to make rushed passes or allowing steals for the Patriots.

The Tigercats took multiple perimeter shots against the Patriots, but only 3 of 18 shots fell.

After trailing 17-40 at the half, the Tigercats struggled even more to put up points in the second half of play. The LWK team was held scoreless in the third quarter and made four points in the fourth quarter.

The Patriots had three athletes scoring in double digits during the league competition on Saturday and proved to be what led to the scoring deficit for the Tigercats.

Liberty Christian took the league win from the Tigercats with a final score of 65-21.

Rice continued to lead the scoring efforts with six points. Ellis, Ramos and McKeen each added three points to the final score.

Terrell Webb and Johnson scored two points apiece.

The Tigercats went on the road Tuesday to face Oakesdale, before preparing to meet the top team in the Southeast 1B league, Garfield-Palouse, this weekend.

Garfield-Palouse has only suffered on close margin loss to Pomeroy this season, and currently leads the league with a 13-1 record. The Tigercats have to rely on team unity, quickness and smart mental decisions on both ends of the court in order to remain competitive during the final game.