Season Ends At Regional
St. Francis 46 - Rawlins County 56
The Lady Indians made a valiant come-back but could not overcome the large deficit that developed in the first half of their Regional semi-final game against Rawlins County. The Lady Indians trailed the Lady Buffaloes by 21 points at halftime and by 19 at the third quarter break. With just under two minutes remaining, the Lady Indians had trimmed the margin to 7 and had possession of the ball, but could not complete the comeback for a victory. Though the teams had split their regular season contests, St. Francis lost to Rawlins County (RC) 46-56 in the Regional semi-final contest. The loss ended the season for the Lady Indians. The Lady Indians finished the season with a fine record of 14 wins and 8 losses. Rawlins County (13-8) advances to play Golden Plains (19-0) in the Regional championship game on Saturday, February 23.
It took some time for the teams to score in the early portion of the contest. St. Francis had four turnovers and only one shot attempt in the first few minutes of action. Rawlins County's Angie Singhateh (5' 9" Sr.) was the first to find the basket, getting an offensive rebound score with nearly four minutes gone in the game. At 3:54, St. Francis used their first time-out. After returning to action, RC's Kristen Beckman (5' 5" Jr.) scored from the post. The Lady Indians' first score came on a top-of-the-key trey by Karly Bandel. Beckman soon answered with a stick-back basket. After Hannah Zimbal added a free-throw for the Lady Indians, RC went on an 8-point run getting two top-of-the key treys from Amy Crouse (5' 7" Sr.) and post basket from Beckman on a high-low post assist from Singhateh. The flurry moved the scoreboard to 4-14 with just a few seconds remaining in the first period. Zimbal closed the first quarter scoring with another free-throw. St. Francis trailed 5-14 after one period of action.
The second period would decide the outcome. Only two free-throws were scored in the first two minutes of the second period; a pair by Angie Singhateh. At 6:16, St. Francis used their second time-out. After a pair of free-throws by Kierstyn Domsch (5' 8" So.), Lauren Johnson's assist found Hannah Zimbal for a score in the lane. Singhateh soon answered with a post score and two free-throws. After an offensive rebound score by Abby Singhateh (5' 7" Fr.), Angie Singhateh added another basket from close range. The Lady Buffs' passing was out-executing the defensive rotation of the Lady Indians, and scores were coming from short range for RC. At 2:55, St. Francis used their third time-out trailing 7-26. After returning to the floor, Karly Bandel sank a much-needed trey from the top-of-the-key. Angie Singhateh followed with another post basket. Amy Crouse closed the first half with a left corner trey for RC. St. Francis was in trouble, trailing 10-31 at intermission. After an 0-8 run late in the first quarter, the Lady Indians were out-scored 5-17 in the second period.
On the first possession of the second half, Emma Johnson drained a trey from the left corner for the Lady Indians. On the ensuing RC possession, Kristen Beckman answered with an offensive rebound basket. St. Francis then received a free-throw from Emma Johnson and a stick-back basket from Lindsey Johnson. RC's Amy Crouse followed with another trey; this one from the right wing. On the following possession, Emma's assist led to a post score by Hannah Zimbal. Baskets were coming in rapid succession by both teams. A Crouse assist to Angie Singhateh resulted in another post score for the Lady Buffs and returned the margin to 20 points (18-38). A second Zimbal score triggered a RC time-out at 3:52. Soon, an assist from Lauren Johnson to Alondra Gomez resulted in a right wing trey for the Lady Indians. St. Francis was within 15 (23-38). Abby Singhateh added a right wing score for RC; Gomez answered from the right elbow at the opposite goal. Abby Singhateh followed with a post score. A Lady Indian turnover late in the period led to another easy basket for the Lady Buffs. St. Francis had shown some competitiveness, but still trailed by nineteen (25-44).
Emma Johnson opened the final period scoring grabbing an long offensive rebound and driving for a score. Amy Crouse answered with a coast-to-coast drive for a lay-up. Emma Johnson and Kierstyn Domsch then exchanged treys from the left wing. With 5:49 left in the game, St. Francis used their 4th time-out. RC followed with a time-out at 5:16; their second. Emma Johnson's top-of-the-key trey again moved the Lady Indians with 15 (34-49). On the next RC possession, Kristen Beckman scored on a fast break when the Lady Indians failed to transition well defensively. Karly Bandel then swished a right-wing trey narrowing the margin a bit more. The Lady Buffs used another time-out at 3:51. After returning to action, Beckman's assist set up another Singhateh post score. St. Francis followed with an out-of-bounds play score by Lindsey Johnson (assist Bandel). With 2:52 remaining, St. Francis used their final time-out and switched to full-court pressure. The move was a good one and soon an assist from Hannah Zimbal to Bandel led to another trey (42-53). At 2:15, a steal by Emma Johnson led to two free-throws for the St. Francis. At 2:04, RC was called for a 10-second back court violation and took another time-out. A driving score by Lindsey Johnson reduced the deficit to 46-53. With 1:38 left, Emma Johnson tied up (jump ball) Amy Crouse and the possession went to St. Francis. Lindsey Johnson was fouled on the possession, but failed to make the first shot of the 1-&-1. A short time later, St. Francis fouled Angie Singhateh who made one-of-two (46-54). After a SF miss, the Lady Indians fouled Domsch. Kierstyn missed the front end of the 1-&-1. After an RC turnover the Lady Indians had another shot opportunity, but could not convert. With 15.5 seconds left, Beckman made consecutive free-throws to seal the RC win 46-56.
Angie Singhateh led all scorers with 17 points. RC's Amy Crouse added 14 (4 treys) and Kristen Beckman scored 12. The Lady Buffs made 9 of 11 from the stripe, had 12 fouls, and committed 18 turnovers (11 in the second half).
St. Francis was led in scoring by Emma Johnson with 15 points. Karly Bandel added 12. Others scoring for the Lady Indians were Hannah Zimbal 8, Lindsey Johnson 6, and Alondra Gomez 5. The Lady Indians were whistled for 16 fouls, committed 19 turnovers (13 in the first half), and made 6 of 11 from the line.
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