LONE TREE GIRLS BASKETBALL

Danville stalls Lone Tree, ending an impressive run

By TJ Rhodes
Posted 2/13/24

LONE TREE

“As I told our girls in the locker room, our offseason for next year starts now,” Lady Lion head coach Ryan Shelman said after the team’s tough loss to the Danville …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in
LONE TREE GIRLS BASKETBALL

Danville stalls Lone Tree, ending an impressive run

Posted

LONE TREE

“As I told our girls in the locker room, our offseason for next year starts now,” Lady Lion head coach Ryan Shelman said after the team’s tough loss to the Danville Bears, 71-36 on Tuesday night.

“We knew we'd have to play a really good game to win this one tonight. There was a stretch where we made too many mistakes. That comes sometimes with younger teams and teams that haven't been in this scenario and I think that showed tonight,” Shelman said.

“I think a lot of it is just gaining that experience in this big game [which] was really valuable to us.”

The Lady Lions struggled to get past a competitive Danville opponent who increased their winning streak to 18. This hot streak leads Danville into round three where they will play Lynnville-Sully, this Friday, Feb. 16.

For the Lady Lions, it was no surprise that sophomore Finley Jacque led the team with 10 points. Jacque dazzled with her handling abilities, swishing the ball in every direction while evading the Bears. Even though Jacque impressed, Danville’s relentless swarm was too much to bear.

Ava Christofferson was second in team scoring with six; Cate Sexton had five; each of Alyson Ford, Rylee Shield and Avery Lisk scored four as Vivian Zaruba netted three.

The 19-4 finish for Lone Tree is one of the best seasons for any girls’ basketball squad in school history.

They’ll lose two seniors: Lisk and Bailey McGrew. Lisk has been a vital piece to the Lone Tree puzzle this season. In fact, Lisk scored the final point of Lone Tree’s season, a free throw at the tail end of the fourth quarter.

McGrew, who does not get much time on the court, is vital to team morale. When McGrew steps on the court, the student section erupts in “Bai-ley” chants.

Lone Tree will miss both players.

However, they’ll see most of their young talent return, which could mean yet another leap in improvement next season.

“We have a lot coming back and a lot to be proud of in our season,” Shelman said. “I really appreciate the Lone Tree community coming out to support us.”

See the full story in next week’s edition of The News, dated Thursday, Feb. 22. This week’s edition of The News, dated Thursday, Feb. 15, will not have details from this game because of print deadlines.

Lone Tree, Iowa, high school, girls basketball, Danville, Lady Lions, Bears.