The Trotters opened the divisional tournament against Loyola, falling 67-26.

Loyola was quick to score and Plains worked out some early jitters. The Breakers put full-court pressure on Plains, scoring 13 points before Plains senior Blakely Lakko scored halfway through the first quarter. Aubree Butcher sank a three-pointer later in the quarter and the supportive Plains crowd erupted like it was a state championship. Loyola led 26-7 as the second quarter started and increased their lead rapidly, but the Trotters were determined to stay in the game, playing aggressive defense and adding four more points to the score before halftime.

The Plains team kept up their momentum and put forth remarkable effort against Loyola. Though they would fall, the ladies played hard through the entire 32 minutes, with freshman Ava Lawyer and Butcher each sinking a three-point shot in the final minutes.

Butcher led scoring for the Trotters with six points, Lawyer and Katelyn Subatch added five each, Blakely Lakko four points and Claire Lakko, Trystan Larsen and Emilia Rivinius two apiece.

In Friday's loser-out game, the Thompson Falls and Plains girls played with heart and determination knowing it would be the end of the road for one of the teams.

Thompson Falls would come out on top 53-34 over the Trotters, but it was a battle the entire game.

Thompson Falls was the first to score and Plains kept them in their sights throughout the first quarter, allowing the Hawks just a 16-9 lead after the first. In the second quarter, the defenses ramped up their coverage and allowed minimal points early on. Thompson Falls was up 29-18 going into the half, but Palins wasn't giving up without a fight.

In the third quarter, points were scarce as but the Trotters shook things up as the clock wound down, adding another seven points to the scoreboard and down by just 11, 38-27, going into the final eight minutes.

In the final quarter, Plains kept the pressure on Thompson Falls and made them work hard for every point. The teams traded scores. The Hawks kept their lead, but Plains kept scoring, including from Katelyn Subatch, who sank a long three-pointer. The Hawks were up by just eight points with three minutes left in the game when sophomore Solveig Nygaard hit a layup and drew a foul to add three points to the lead and the Hawks took control 45-34. The team followed that with a steal and points from Delaney Gerhard and Thompson Falls rode the wave to victory.

Sanford said that Trysten Larson played the whole game against Thompson Falls and has been improving on defense all season.

"I think the girls had a fun season and showed a lot of improvement," Coach Brooks Sanford stated. "We were so remedial in all our skills that everything improved. I think that catalyst for all that was the kids' attitudes. They were willing to do new things and work through it." Sanford said the team had really good support from parents, fans, friends and daily throughout the season.

Sanford said one of the highlights of the season was when the Trotters beat Hot Springs at home in overtime. "That was the first time I saw the kids get excited about winning a game," he expressed.

The Trotters ended the season with 11 wins and 12 losses. Sanford said throughout the season, they talked about competing the whole time they were on the court. He saw a lot of improvement the last two weeks of the season as they focused on their defense. "They put in a lot of time and effort and are already talking about next season," he stated. "For as young as we are, our two starting freshmen (Ava Lawyer and Aubree Butcher) showed a tone of growth throughout the year and matured a lot." He noted that Butcher turned a corner the last couple of weeks and gained some confidence, making better passes, and that Lawyer settled in offensively and was more confident in her shooting and passing on double teams.

Sanford commended senior Blakely Lakko for being steady all year. "She plays hard," he said of Lakko, who transferred this year from Thompson Falls. He also noted that Katelyn Subatch is gaining confidence and improving for the team. "The skill is there. She's a great defender and a good shooter," he explained. Lexi Deming also showed growth and confidence for the Trotters, he said. Deming injured her knee at district and was unable to play at divisional.

Annie Wooden

Aubree Butcher (left) and Trystan Larson defend against Loyola.

Sanford is looking forward to next season and his team competing in the offseason. "With the youth in the program and their attitude and effort, it's going to be a fun few years."