Tigercats wrap up season on the road against Gar-Pal

The LaCrosse-Washtucna/Kahlotus Tigercats’ basketball season concluded last week after two games against Oakesdale and Garfield-Palouse.

The Tigercats end the season with a 0-15 record.

The Tigercats traveled to Oakesdale on Feb. 3 and returned home with a 73-35 loss.

The LWK team had a consistent shooting night, sinking at least eight points a quarter. Oakesdale started out with an early scoring run and went up 26-8 by the end of the first quarter.

The Tigercats struggled to contain Oakesdale’s shooters, as five athletes scored in double digits by the end of the night. The scoring advantage proved detrimental to the LWK team.

Tigercat Jacob Johnson led the Tigercats’ scoring with 10 points.

Adding to the Tigercats score, Derek McKeen had seven points. Kaese Ramos, Chance Rice and Cole Evans each had four points.

Cameron Ellis scored three points, and Terrell Webb had two points. Douglas McKeen sank one free throw.

On Feb. 6, the Tigercats hit the road for one final time to compete against Garfield-Palouse, the league’s top team.

Garfield-Palouse dominated the scoring in the game, and went on to handily win the league contest 75-17.

The LWK team had a difficult time keeping momentum against the Vikings as they ran the floor and put up points with ease.

The full court press early in the game caused issues for the Tigercats, who struggled to have time to put up open shots.

The Tigercats found themselves trailing 54-5 at halftime after struggling to contain three Garfield-Palouse shooters.

The second half remained more balanced between the two teams without the starting line-up for Garfield-Palouse determining the tempo of the game and without the same defensive pressure.

The Tigercats had more opportunities to set up the offense and work the defense in order to get open looks at the hoop.

Rice and Ellis lead the Tigercats in scoring with five points each. Derek McKeen scored three points. Evans and Ramos each had two points.

With the Tigercats team unable to earn a win during the season, the record dropped them to the bottom of the league and out of the district tournament.

The conclusion of the season marks the end of high school basketball careers for six seniors.

The Tigercats’ goal for the season was to constantly improve in each game, and to gain confidence as athletes.

Throughout the season the team showed their determination to improve by battling on the court and remaining focused on becoming a competitive team. Though unable to earn a win this season, the team leaves the court as an better team and stronger individual athletes.