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Warriors start fast in playoff win over Raiders
Arapahoe’s just as unbeaten as the UConn women when it counts most: D1-11 subdistrict tournament time.
The “new season” tipped off brilliantly Monday night for all Warriors with senior Alayna Whipple igniting a 37-28 playoff victory over Medicine Valley.
Whipple went all Steph Curry early on the Raiders, hitting two three-point bombs before one quarter was done.
Arapahoe (3-19 record officially) never relinquished its advantage which reached 21-11 by halftime.
Senior Rachel Lashley tried her best to rally the Raiders (4-17 final record). Her two baskets and steal helped slice the deficit in half, 28-23, entering Monday’s final eight minutes.
Yet sophomore reserve Lauren Bahe was super clutch from start to finish.
Bahe never missed a shot, and her third basket quickly regained Warrior momentum.
Arapahoe soon scored again thanks to sophomore Terri Hilker’s steal setting up the two points.
The Raiders still never quit. Lashley’s long jump shot from about 18 feel pulled MV within five again at 32-27.
Med Valley missed key free throws to get even closer.
Arapahoe also didn’t connect, but senior Mariah Watson’s strong putback basically clinched the playoff win.
The Warriors avenged last year’s subdistrict defeat to Med Valley. In fact, Arapahoe has won all three meetings this season.
Now coach Preston Blackmore’s team advances into a 6 p.m. semifinal tonight against No. 1-seed Hitchcock County (15-6 record).
Hitchcock has won the two previous meetings this season, 40-24 and 44-27.
Med Valley must move on without four seniors who finished their Raider hoops careers on Monday: Lashley, Haylee Evans, Mari Farr and Hope Stone.
Freshman Acelyn Klein’s eight points matched Lashley for team-high honors Monday night.
ARAPAHOE (37) — Alayna Whipple 15 points, Mariah Watson 8, Lauren Bahe 6, Terri Hilker 5, Joslyn North 3. Three-pointers: Whipple 2, Hilker.
MED VALLEY (28) — Rachel Lashley 8 points, Acelyn Klein 8, Mari Farr 4, Alex Ellermeier 4, Haylee Evans 2, Sabra Schmidt 1.