Crusaders build toward postseason berth

Only two seasons ago, Faith Lutheran's girls basketball team had trouble being competitive in its first year in the Northwest League.

Just more than one week from now, the Crusaders should lock up their first postseason berth in Class 4A.

Faith Lutheran, which last played a postseason game in 2009 as a member of Class 3A and then was 2-14 in the Northwest League in 2009-10, moved a step closer to a playoff spot by holding off visiting Cheyenne, 50-43 on Wednesday.

Faith Lutheran (11-11, 8-5 Northwest) holds a 1½-game lead and the tiebreaker over fifth-place Shadow Ridge (9-12, 6-6). The Crusaders' three remaining games are against teams in the bottom half of the league. Two of Shadow Ridge's last four games are against the top three teams in the league.

"From where we were three years ago, this is just great," said Faith Lutheran coach Jennifer Karner, whose team needs a total of two wins and/or Shadow Ridge losses to clinch a playoff spot. "Everyone in that locker room has contributed to it. All my coaches have contributed to it. They're all working their butts off."

The Crusaders didn't trail after Julia Benko's 3-pointer gave them an 11-9 lead with 4:32 remaining in the first quarter. But they had to keep finding ways to stay ahead, leading 24-20 at halftime and 36-32 after three quarters before pulling away.

"All my freshmen and sophomores that made mistakes in the past are now juniors and seniors and they're taking care of the ball," Karner said. "They're learning from what they've done, and they're improving."

Kelsey McCourt scored seven of her 14 points in the fourth quarter. Benko added 13 and Sam Leonard 10 for Faith Lutheran, which got quality minutes from its bench with both starting posts -- Leonard and Taylor Hammer -- in foul trouble much of the night.

"It's been a complete team effort every game," said Karner, who won't yet talk to her team about the playoffs, but admits the idea "brings a smile to my face."

Kayla Armstrong led Cheyenne (6-15, 3-10) with 12 points. Brea Thompson added 11 and Bria Buchanan 10. Larice Harper grabbed 10 rebounds.

Contact reporter Bartt Davis at bdavis@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5230.