The 1st step is full for the Evergreen ladies basketball group.
Now, for the second straight yr, the Plainsmen can see the Class 3A state match of their sights.
They made their transfer to the 3A bi-district quarterfinals with a wire-to-wire 63-37 win over Lakes within the opening spherical Friday at residence, establishing a highway matchup towards White River on Saturday at 5 p.m. The winner advances to state, whereas the shedding aspect has to win two extra video games to punch their ticket.
“Lakes is a good team, so it feels good to execute on court and get a win,” Evergreen junior Kimora Ross mentioned. “Last year we got our first playoff game as a win as well, so it feels good to do it again. Hopefully, we keep advancing and keep getting better as a team moving forward.”
Courtney Neal scored a team-high 19 factors and Adrian Wright additionally reached double figures with 13 factors, however the Plainsmen’s greatest energy Friday was of their numbers. Neal and Ross battled foul bother for components of the primary half, and fellow starter Maya Calhoun exited the sport early with an obvious shoulder damage.
Down three of its 5 starters, Evergreen didn’t miss a beat.
With contributions from freshmen Camryn Holt, Addison Carter-Younger and Jayda Rogers off the bench, plus starters Wright and Aiyanah Sefronio-Byrd, the Plainsmen constructed on a robust begin by outscoring the Lancers 19-7 within the second quarter and held a commanding 31-14 halftime lead. In that span, the Plainsmen held the Lancers to only 4 area targets.
“I feel like our energy just kept us going. We played hard,” mentioned Neal, additionally a freshman. “I feel like with everything going on the bench, we weren’t focused on that, we were focused on the game.”
Lakes bought as shut as 11 factors late within the third quarter, however a 3-pointer from Sefronio-Byrd to shut the body. Then, a 6-0 run to begin the fourth with baskets from Neal, Holt and Ross gave Evergreen a 20-point result in put the sport out of attain.
Total, it was Evergreen’s eighth win in its final 11 video games after beginning the season 3-7. Although the Plainsmen began gradual within the technique of jelling as a group, they’ve had a knack for closing sturdy in every of the final three common seasons, all resulting in first-round bi-district playoff video games.
“It definitely happened toward the middle of the season,” Ross mentioned of the second the group discovered its stride. “We had a pretty hard schedule starting off the season, so it only made us better.”
The Plainsmen hope to take one other step on the highway with a fast turnaround Saturday at White River (20-2) of Buckley, which rolled to an 80-41 win over Silas within the opening spherical. Both approach, Friday’s win over Lakes means Evergreen is shifting in the best course.
“It feels good to actually come together, and we look really good as a team right now,” Ross mentioned.
EVERGREEN 63, LAKES 37
LAKES (12-12) — E’maya Cleveland 0, Ehmarii McChristian 20, Neveah Tutt 5, Samara Oliver 10, Lehua Stephens 0, Katelynn Wong 0, Taylor Lord 0. Totals 12 (2) 11-18 37.
EVERGREEN (11-10) — Jayda Rogers 0, Addison Carter-Younger, Kimora Ross, Courtney Neal, Camryn Holt, Maya Calhoun, Aiyanah Sefronio-Byrd, Adrian Wright. Totals 18 (3) 20-27 63.
Lakes 7 7 12 11—37
Evergreen 12 19 10 22—63