Lady Stars fight hard but fall in finale

By Jayden Hewitt
Sports Editor

The LCC women’s basketball team lost their final game on Thursday, March 2 to Southwestern Michigan, 64-54, at LCC.

It was the final game of the season, meaning it was the last time many players will play with each other again. Head coach Layne Ingram spoke about the emotions of a game of such magnitude.

“Emotions were high,” Ingram said. “It was going to be the sophomores’ last game and our last game of the season. They wanted to play hard for each other and finish on a high note in a tough season.”

The Lady Stars led the game at halftime 33-21 but ended up losing by 10. Ingram spoke of what went wrong in the loss.

“I think we just didn’t make plays when we needed to; we missed some lay-ups and turned the ball over down the stretch,” Ingram mentioned. “It’s tough to play with a lead and you have to be disciplined and patient. That didn’t happen.

“I do think they played hard and gave themselves a chance to win. I think each of the sophomores had a good moment and so I’m happy for them. They always stick together and that’s what I think they did best.”

Last-year guard Riley Merryfield led the way for LCC in her final game with 18 points and five assists. Guard Oliva Gean added 12 points. Last-year center Skyy Lockhart scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Stars.

The loss closed out a disappointing year for LCC, leaving the Stars’ record at 6-20 and at 2-10 in the conference/

Despite the record, Ingram said he is proud of the team, citing academic success as well.

“(I’m) really proud of how hard they worked all year,” Ingram said. “When you aren’t winning many games it can be easy to quit and give up, but they didn’t. They came every day and worked. We were certainly better the second half of the season but just couldn’t quite get over the hump.

“I am also proud of the players who excelled in the classroom. Several of them will make the President’s List and that’s what it’s all about.”