Tigercats need more shots to fall in hoops

The LaCrosse-Washtucna boys’ basketball team ended the week with a win after playing in three games last week and suffering two losses. The Tigercats played Odessa-Harrington, Rosalia and Garfield-Palouse all in regular season games.

The Tigercats lost to Odessa-Harrington after making a tremendous come back in the fourth quarter, bringing the final score of the game to 43-46. At the end of the third quarter, the Titans led the game with a score of 40-26.

“In the fourth quarter, we did a better job attacking the rim and moving the ball. We played poor for three quarters, and Odessa-Harrington played well the whole game. But in the fourth quarter, we really looked like we wanted to be there and the effort improved quite a bit at that point,” said Coach Mike Jones.

During the first three quarters of the game, Odessa-Harrington pressed the Tigercats, causing 32 turnovers.

The Tigercats did not react well to the pressure but finally controlled the ball offensively during the fourth quarter.

The Tigercats held the Titans to six points in the fourth quarter and scored 17 points, but fell just short of catching up to the Titans’ lead. Jake Aune led the Tigercats, scoring 18 points in the game.

Sam Harder scored eight points, and Darcy Stamper, Jed Zimmer and Justin Wargo each had five points. Austin Summers scored two points in the game.

“We had a chance to tie the game, as time ran out we took the shot. But last second shots just don’t go very often,” said Jones.

The Tigercats then faced the Rosalia Spartans and lost by a slim margin with the final score of 42-45. At the end of the third quarter, the score was tied with both teams having 30 points.

“We had a chance to win and tie the game. Jake Aune took a shot that would have put us up by a point, but it rolled off. We had to foul and they made both free throws. We had a shot at the three-point line to tie, it was rushed but looked good, but didn’t fall,” said Jones.

Zimmer scored 16 points in the game, while Wargo finished with 12 points. Stamper scored nine points, Aune scored four points and Summers ended the night with a free throw.

“The team played, overall, really well. We took care of the ball, played well together and did a solid job. We just had trouble getting shots to fall,” said Jones.

The third game the Tigercats competed in during the week ended on a positive note as they beat Gar-Pal with a final score of 58-52. Aune played a spectacular game, leading the Tigercats scoring with a total of 20 points.

“If we would have played that well Friday night as we did against Gar-Pal, we would have won both games. Gar-Pal is playing a lot better, more physical, since we played them in the first two games of the season,” said Jones. “We’re fortunate to have come out with the win, but we did shoot the ball well.”

Stamper scored 11 points in the game and Zimmer scored a total of nine points. Summers scored six points and Alec Fleming, Wargo and Harder all scored four points each.

The Tigercats found themselves down by two points toward the end of the game when Stamper stepped up and hit two three-point shots and a 15-foot jumper. Aune also stole the ball at the top of the key twice to help the Tigercats control the lead for the rest of the game and to secure the victory.

“Overall, I’m pleased with the effort, ball movement and ball security. We handled pressure better and moved the ball better, and that’s the two keys to the game,” said Jones.

The Tigercats face Colton on Jan. 20 in LaCrosse and Pomeroy on Jan. 21 at Pomeroy. The Tigercats continue to focus on ball security, movement and shooting, as those are the biggest struggle and obstacle for the team.

“Colton and Pomeroy hit the boards hard. We have to rebound the basketball really well this weekend if we want to win,” said Jones.