Season ends for Weiser girls with loss to Fruitland

The Lady Wolverines worked hard all season and although there were some disappointing losses during the regular season, the Lady Wolverines managed to come into the SRV District Tournament in third place and set themselves up for a potential berth at the 3A state championship.  
 The last hurdle in making state a reality was another match-up against league rivals Fruitland Grizzlies. The runner-up game at district was the fourth meeting against the Grizzlies and the Wolverines, and unfortunately, the Grizzlies bested the Wolverines in the three previous contests.  
 The Wolverines hoped to break the Grizzlies streak, but sadly, they were unable to pull it off and finished their season with a 42-60 loss.  
 The Wolverines had a 6-14 total record, 4-4 in regular season conference play and 1-2 in postseason play.
 Although the season wasn’t what head coach Laraine Harrison, had envisioned for her first year at the helm of the Lady Wolverine basketball program, she was still very proud of her team.
 “We played hard at the district tournament and never gave up, but against Fruitland we dug a hole and it’s hard to come from behind against tough teams like Fruitland.”  
 Harrison went on to say, “The girls have nothing to hang their head about because they definitely improved from day 1 throughout the season.  All the coaches noticed lots of improvement from not just games but individual instruction and drills during practice, and the seniors set the tone for our younger players about what hard work and grit are about.”
 The Lady Wolverines had no answer to the Fruitland offense from the very beginning of the game and quickly found themselves trailing by double digits, 6-19, after only the first eight minutes.  
 However, the Lady Wolverines stepped it up in the second quarter with 7 points from Mattie Shirts, 5 points from Maddy Erickson, 2 points from Alex Bittinger and a free throw apiece from both Andrea Bouvia and Jenifer Juarez.  
 The Lady Wolverines had 16 points to the Grizzlies’ 20 points in the second quarter, but missed out on several opportunities from the line, shooting only 3 for 9 and allowing the Grizzlies to extend their lead 39-22.
 The Lady Wolverines had a rough third quarter from the field with the only basket in 15 attempts coming from freshman Tobie Noyer. Fortunately, the Wolverines turned around their previous free throw woes from the first half and shot 8 for 11.  
 Sadly, the Wolverines’ 10 points was still short of the Grizzlies’ 15 and the Wolverines fell further behind 32-54.
 The Lady Wolverines outscored the Grizzlies 10-6 in the fourth quarter, but the damage was already done, and the Grizzlies captured their ticket to the 3A State Tournament with the 60-42 win over the Wolverines.
 Harrison commented, “We may have not made the state tournament this year, but we plan on putting some hard work into our spring and summer basketball and being nothing less than state bound next year!”
 Harrison also wanted to express her appreciation to all of the supporters, coaches and parent volunteers who either worked concessions or helped with team meals.  She was also very grateful to the team managers.
 Maddy Erickson led the Lady Wolverines with 12 points and 7 rebounds, followed by Mattie Shirts with 11 points and 9 rebounds. Marissa Moyle finished out her basketball career with 7 points and 4 rebounds. Tobie Noyer added 4 points and 7 rebounds and Ivy Morris had 3 points. Andrea Bouvia and Alex Bittinger both had 2 points.