Trotters finish third

The ultimate competition would include two rivals in a playoff atmosphere each with something to prove. Fitting, then, that Plains and Thompson Falls were matched up in their regular season finales to determine which would enter the District 7-B tournament in third and fourth place.

Before tip-off, however, in a touching moment of sportsmanship, the Trotters presented injured Lady Hawk senior Makayla Becker with a card, balloons and hugs from each team member, wishing her a speedy recovery and acknowledging their sorrow that Becker would miss the end of her final season as a Lady Hawk.

The Trotters went into the locker room at the half up 15-14 after two brutal quarters, before an unlikely hero would emerge in the fourth to lift the Trotters to an impressive 43-24 victory during their senior night.

Freshman guard Felicia Earhart came off the bench to score 16 points, as Plains ran away with the game in the second half, forcing 17 Blue Hawk turnovers over that span.

Diamond LaDeaux contributed seven points, Ashley Thompson, Kelsey Beagley and Kayla Revier four apiece, Nikkia Kunzer and Malena Sweet three each and Jessica Read two in the win.

Allison Vaught led Thompson Falls with 12 points. Hope Reid added seven, Shasta Wilson and Kelsey Fitchett two and Mara Hanks one point.

With the win, the Trotters (5-5 conf., 11-7 ovr.) will enter districts as the third seed, setting up an opening round game against sixth place Troy (1-9, 1-16). The fourth place Lady Hawks (4-6, 5-13) will matchup with fifth seeded Eureka (2-8, 2-16).

Earlier in the week, Plains fell to Mission, 42-50 on Tuesday.

Kyla Mitchell tallied a career-high 27 pints to lead the second place Bulldogs (7-2, 13-4) in the victory.

Beagley led the Trotters, scoring 10 points. Revier chipped in nine, Earhart eight, LaDeaux five, Kunzer and Jessica Hanson four each and Sweet two points.

The short handed Lady Hawks also fell in their other game last week, losing to Mission, 29-56, on Saturday during Thompson Falls’ senior night.

Thompson Falls jumped out to an 18-15 lead at the end of the first quarter, and were down only one, 22-23 at the break.

In the third quarter, Reid went down with a sprained ankle and the Bulldogs capitalized, outscoring Thompson Falls 33-7 in the final two frames.

Stephanie Lewandowski scored 17 to lead St. Ignatius.

Fitchett led Thompson Falls, scoring 10 points. Vaught added eight points, Reid six, Leann Lantz three and Kayla Stark two.