Click Here to Listen LIVE to

Waconda Lakers at the Mid America Youth Basketball National Tournament

The Waconda Lakers basketball team concluded it's summer schedule with five games in Oklahoma City at the Mid America Youth Basketball National tournament. They went 3 and 2 at the national tournament finishing the summer with a record of 14 and 6. The team is made up of the following players: Bailey Brown of Glen Elder, Jenna Farris from Lincoln, Karlie Steinle of Wilson, Kora Bergstrom from Courtland, Jordyn Alexander of Washington, Blair Bloomfield from Clifton, Maggie Leonard of Marysville, and Mariah Jones from Ell-Saline.

In the first game of the tournament the Lakers played the West Texas Heat. The game was similar to most of the games this summer as the defense dominated, led by Bailey Brown and Maggie Leonard, and the transition game got everybody involved in the offense. The offense was led by Jenna Farris with 12 points, Karlie Steinle 10, and Jordyn Alexander with 8. The Lakers got out to an early lead and won the game 53 to 32.

The second game was against the Oklahoma Shock and the Lakers didn't play as well with only a couple hours rest and lost 38 to 47. Mariah Jones had a good first half and Kora Bergstrom played real well in the second half. The offense once again was led by Jenna Farris with 10 points and Jordyn Alexander had 8.

The third game of pool play was against a team from Nebraska. Going into the game the goal was to create turnovers and a quick pace against a team that wants to play a deliberate style of offense. Bailey Brown, Jenna Farris, and Mariah Jones forced several early turnovers and creatd an up tempo style that got the Lakers off to an 18 to 1 lead early. Mariah Jones scored off the tip, and two quick steals and lay-ups got the team off to the great start. Jenna Farris had 16 first half points and finished with 21. Karlie Steinle who played well all weekend showed her versatility scoring off the drive, making free throws, and had a three point shot to give her 12 points. Bailey Brown had her best game of the summer scoring 9 points, leading in assists, and creating havoc with her defense. The game was never close and the Lakers got the second seed from its pool with the 53 to 31 victory.

The first game of bracket play was against a team from Arkansas. The opponent did not show up to play so that advanced the team to the next round and saved energy for a match-up against a number one seeded team Oklahoma Select. They were huge inside with a lot of team quickness, and a terrific shooter. The game turned out to be one of those basketball games that fans love to watch because of the intensity level and the game being tight throughout. Jenna Farris got the game started with a three pointer on the first possession. The Lakers got to the free throw line 24 times in the first half with 22 of those attempts coming from inside players Blair Bloomfield, Kora Bergstrom, and Jordyn Alexander. At half it was a one point game and Karlie Steinle brought the team back in the second half making five straight free throws with help from Bailey Brown making three free throws, and Mariah Jones scoring 3 points. The lead with two minutes left did not hold up and the 9 straight points to finish the game by the Oklahoma team knocked the Lakers out of the tournament with the 47 to 55 loss. Jordyn Alexander had her best overall game of the summer and scored 15 points, Jenna Farris also performed well scoring 11.

Coach Clover commented that he was very proud of the girls performance and would rank the effort and intensity as high as any other game in 23 years of coaching. The dedication, hard work, and terrific attitude of the team was very impressive. This was the best team I have had a playing as a team and being unselfish which is a tremendous compliment to each of the team members!

Other Sports

Beloit, KS 67420, USA