Indians fall short in loss to Wildcats

By: Aaron Pyle

In the Indians previous matchup Feb. 23, they were able to hold off Cedar Vale, the #9 team in Class 1A, 39-36. Friday, Mar. 1, St. Paul (12-8) faced the Moundridge Wildcats (16-8) in the semifinals for a shot at the sub-state title.

St. Paul started off hot in the first quarter with junior Adam Albertini providing 9 of the Indians 18 points.

The second quarter was flipped as the Wildcats started to get going and the Indians started to cool off. At halftime, St. Paul trailed Moundridge 26-25.

Both teams exchanged baskets throughout the third quarter as there were multiple lead changes. The score would be tied 35-35 heading into the final quarter.

In the fourth, the pace lived up to whoever had final possession controlled the outcome. With 16 seconds remaining trailing 53-50, St. Paul had one last shot to send the game to overtime. Junior Kaleb Lemmons then hit a buzzer-beating three which bounced three or four times off the rim before bouncing in sending the Indians to OT.

In overtime, Moundridge gained a comfortable margin off free throws sealing the game for the Wildcats. St. Paul (12-9) fell 62-57 to Moundridge (17-8) ending their season.

Juniors Adam Albertini and Easton Dent led the Indians scoring finishing with 16 points, respectively. Lemmons ended his night finishing with 12 points for St. Paul. Other key contributors include; Carlson (7), Chan. Bradshaw (6).