Indians face Patriots in dual

Following the Lancer Classic, the Indians traveled back to Billy Fager Fieldhouse to face the West Elk Patriots in a non-conference dual. The game-time was moved prior to the contest due to weather conditions. 

            For the Lady Indians, the team captured the 2020 Lancer Classic title after defeating Columbus 32-13. In the succeeding contest, St. Paul battled an undefeated West Elk team ranked #4 in Class 2A while the Lady Indians entered the game #10 in Class 1A. 

            The two teams went back and forth throughout the first quarter with neither side letting up. The Lady Indians would hold the Lady Patriots to just nine points in the first quarter after West Elk began the game on a 5-0 run. Taylor Wiatrak and freshman Josie Albertini provided a majority of the baskets in the second quarter scoring 15 of the teams 18 points. At halftime, the West Elk trailed St. Paul 30-27. 

            St. Paul continued their relentless defensive effort in the third quarter allowing the Lady Patriots to just seven points. But the Lady Indians offense began to grow cold with West Elk slowly sneaking from behind. West Elk closed the game outscored the Lady Indians 17-5 in the final quarter to capture a 49-43 victory over St. Paul (11-3). 

            Wiatrak led the Lady Indians in scoring Tuesday night finishing with 13 points. Albertini made a key effort as well despite the loss tallying up 11 points. 

            For the boys, the team came into the matchup against the Patriots off a 47-43 loss to Columbus in the Lancer Classic third-place game. In the wake of the loss, the Indians traveled back home to face West Elk (6-6). 

            In the first quarter, the two teams battled back in forth in a low-scoring affair as baskets came at a premium on both sides of the ball. The Indians exploded offensively in the second quarter outscoring the Patriots 18-8 to take a 25-16 lead at halftime. Seniors Adam Albertini and Chandler Bradshaw provided much of the offense in the second quarter scoring 12 of the 18 points for the Indians. 

            Offensive production slowed down for St. Paul in the third as the Patriots held the Indians to five points before the two teams headed into the final quarter. West Elk worked their way back into the contest outscoring St. Paul 19-5 in the third as well. St. Paul’s offensive kicked it in at the right time in the final quarter credited to senior Kaleb Lemmons who scored seven points in the fourth. Outscoring West Elk 15-8 in the fourth, the Indians (9-5) captured a narrow 45-43 victory over the Patriots. 

            Albertini and Lemmons each finished the night with 13 points, respectively. Seniors Easton Dent and Chandler Bradshaw made a key effort as well for St. Paul combining for 17 points in the victory over West Elk. 

            Following the matchup against West Elk, the Indians basketball teams face Northeast Friday, Jan. 31 for the annual St. Paul Homecoming/Tiny Tots.