LONE TREE 

Back in action after a break for the holidays, the Lady Lions picked up from where they left off, celebrating the new year with a conference win over the Wapello Arrows, 63-40, on Jan. 2. 

Scoring over 60 points for the third time this season, Lone Tree improved their conference record to 7-1 and their overall record to 11-1. They also increased their win streak to eight in a row, having not lost a game since November.  

After outscoring the Arrows in the first two quarters, Lone Tree went into halftime with a seven-point lead and in the second half the vaunted Lady Lions defense went to work. 

Holding Wapello to nine points and four points in the third and fourth quarter respectively, Lone Tree held its lead all the way until the final buzzer. 

Leading the way for the Arrows was senior Tatum Wolford. Wolford led Wapello in points (13), shooting 5/9 from the field, and rebounds (8), with five being defensive.  

Lone Tree’s talented sophomore, Finley Jacque, arrived at an impressive milestone in this win, reaching and surpassing 500 career points. She accomplished this feat after only 33 games played. 

Jacque led all scorers in this conference matchup, connecting on a team high five shots from three-point range to finish with 21 points. This is the seventh time this season she has scored 20 or more points.  

Collecting a team high 17 rebounds was Lone Tree junior Cate Sexton. Sexton also added seven points and two steals. Vivian Zaruba led the team in steals (6) and assists (6).

 Lone Tree 64, WMU 46

Bringing out the brooms to complete the season sweep against SEISC opponent Winfield-Mt Union, the Lady Lions went on the road to pick up their 12th victory of the season on Jan. 5. 

Now winners of nine consecutive games, Lone Tree improves its regular season record to 12-1 and their conference record to 8-1. The Lady Lions are one win shy of matching their win total from the previous season. 

It was all Lady Lions from the get go, scoring over 20 in the first quarter while holding the Lady Wolves to just single digits. Lone Tree, continuing to be stout on defense, held WMU to single digits again in the second frame.

Entering the third quarter with a 21 point lead, the Lady Lions did not let off the gas pedal, scoring 19 to increase their advantage to 29 with only one quarter left to play. 

Similar to the first time these two teams faced off against each other this season, Finley Jacque was Lone Tree’s leading scorer. Jacque scored 20 in the win, making it three games in a row she has scored 20 or more points. 

As a team the Lady Lions stole the ball 27 times, with Jacque and Avery Lisk leading the team with six steals a piece. 

Stealing the ball has been a common occurrence for Lone Tree, this season they lead all classes with 283 steals. 

Controlling the boards, Lone Tree tallied up 48 rebounds with 26 being offensive and 22 being defensive. Rylee Shield had a team high nine rebounds. 

This season the Lady Lions lead all classes with 235 offensive rebounds. 

 Up next for Lone Tree (12-1) is a home game against Highland (9-3) on Jan. 12.