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The Lady Raiders forced the Tonakset Tigers into overtime Dec. 10 in Tonasket, hoping for their first win of the season, but came away with an 56-51 loss, but also lot of positives.

LR played much more consistent basketball, leading the Tigers at one point by seven and forcing the game to go to overtime.

Raider Head Coach Wallace Pleasants said his team has been making good improvements in every game they’ve played. He noted the youth of the squad and that the miscues on offense during the game were in part due to the girls still learning to run it.

The team did make “positive gains in on the court on both sides of the ball at Tonasket,” Pleasants said.

Lachelle Bearcub led the Raiders with her first double-double of the season. She scored 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Riley Epperson was the next highest scorer with 10 points.

Keya FastHorse picked up eight assists and scored six points. “Keya (FastHorse) sacrificed scoring to pass the ball and lead the team,” Pleasants said. “I liked the leadership I saw from her.”

Looking ahead to this week’s games, Pleasants said the focus is on the defense to try and tighten up loose ends. Pleasants was also looking ahead to the Central Washington 2B League schedule and that his squad is working on being a solid offensive and defensive team when the games count toward postseason.

“In these early games we are able to get the freshmen in for only a few minutes at a time,” he noted, “but as they gain confidence ,they will see more and more time on the floor, which will help in the long run when we compete for the postseason.”

On Monday, the Lady Raiders met the Tigers of Entiat in Entiat, losing 60-45.

Now the Lady Raiders’ win-loss record stands at 0-4 as they prepare to face the Nannies of Pateros on Friday in Coulee Dam starting at 6 p.m.

The Nannies have changed their offense to a motion offense. Pateros has two girls who can shoot from distance and the offense fits that style of play better. The Nannies are 2-1 overall on the season with wins over Omak (61-40) and Liberty Bell (54-24). Pleasants is preparing the Ladies to challenge the Nannies’ motion and to try and pick up win number one for the season.