Talons take down Vikings
It was a familiar refrain, but with much higher stakes.
Eagle Butte’s girls basketball team advanced to a 3A South Zone semifinal with a 66-55 win over host Crescent Heights Thursday, similar to their league semifinal a week ago but with a much louder cheering section wearing blue, and an emotional seniors night ceremony afterwards for the dispatched Vikings.
“It was a tough game but we stepped up tonight,” said Talons forward LeeAnne Arnott, her 10 points among four teammates who reached double digits. “I think we play better when more people are watching and the pressure’s on.”
Eagle Butte honoured its Grade 12’s a week earlier, but this time Crescent Heights’ run in their home gym wasn’t just done; so was their season. Graduating players came forward one-by-one to receive flowers, photos and hugs from parents and coaches, most letting their emotions take hold.
“It’s kind of mixed feelings,” said Kate Ewascheko, who had 13 points in a losing cause. “It was a good game and I had fun, but it’s sad as well.”
Ewascheko had the extra gift of a graduation date proposal from the stands as part of her seniors night, a nice moment of perspective she already seemed to have. The top two seeds at zones — McCoy and WR Myers — both got first-round byes, and with only three spots to be claimed for provincials Crescent Heights faced a long road to make it.
“All the time we spent together, hanging out and bonding, it was a good year,” said Ewascheko.
Kia Kannekens also had 13, but hurt her ankle while scoring the last two in the fourth quarter and pulling Crescent Heights to within four points of Eagle Butte. It was terrible timing, but the Talons had answers all night anyhow and never trailed.
Amer Karamanos’ 13 led Eagle Butte, which next faces provincial top seed Myers at 6 p.m. tonight.
“It’s always a tough battle with (Crescent Heights),” said Talons coach Mark Heinricks. “Everything for us stems out of defence. They played their hearts out.”
If provincial host McCoy beats Magrath — a 59-31 quarter-final winner over Winston Churchill Thursday — in today’s 2 p.m. semifinal, there will be a third place game to decide the third berth to provincials. The boys side of the draw also takes place, with a 4 p.m. game between McCoy and Eagle Butte and an 8 p.m. match between Myers and Crescent Heights. Hat High As for the 4A draw, Hat High’s Kwahommies were beat in a couple ways in a 74-57 loss to top-ranked LCI.
Down just two at the half, the girls were done in by a 26-16 third quarter. According to coach Jeff Harrold, injuries were also a factor.
“Rhiannon (Ware) took a hit in the face and we couldn’t stop her nose from bleeding for a while,” texted Harrold, who didn’t have post and leading scorer Jordyn Kearly anyhow. “LCI beat us up on the boards.”
Kaesha Milne had 16 and Makayla Schultz 12 for Hat High, which faces Chinook Friday with a spot at provincials on the line. Jocelyn Neilson’s 23 led the Rams, who will face Raymond Saturday for the zone title at the University of Lethbridge.
Hat High’s boys lost 108-105 to Raymond in a zone semifinal and face Catholic Central for a provincial spot Friday.