SPOKANE – Despite a distinct size disadvantage, Lummi Nation was able to shoot its way to a 54-45 victory over Pateros.
The win gave the Lady Blackhawks a fourth-place finish in the 1B state tournament, and it’s their second time in school history they have finished this high.
The Nannies went on an early 12-1 run and led 16-9 after the first quarter, but senior forward Ailina Rabang knocked down a corner three to begin the second quarter, and the scoring became infectious after that.
Junior guard Jemma James then knocked down a deep three, and she quickly followed it up by an 18-footer which brought the Blackhawks within one point and forced a Pateros timeout.
The timeout did not deter Lummi Nation as eighth-grade guard Jordan Reeder hit a left-handed runner, which gave the Lady Blackhawks a 19-18 lead.
It remained close throughout the rest of the first half as Rabang had a steal and score, and sophomore forward Laraya Dennis hit a three-pointer, and James hit another shot from beyond the arc and Lummi Nation was up 27-24 at the half.
The Blackhawks really started to play their game in the third quarter, as thoughts may have been going through their heads about how this will be the final game of the year, and perhaps also how Pateros knocked them out of the state playoffs a year ago.
A big x-factor in the second half was sophomore center Celestine James, as her offensive rebounding began to neutralize the Nanny size advantage. Senior guard Brianna Metteba also put in the work in the paint as she grabbed double-digit rebounds for the second day in a row.
Pateros had spirited possessions in the fourth quarter to bring the game back within single digits, but the damage had already been done by the Lady Blackhawks.
Rabang led her team with 18 points, as she made 8-of-9 from the foul line. The senior also finished with five rebounds, four steals and three assists.
James had 12 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, and Reeder added 12 points, four rebounds and two steals.
Lummi Nation finished its season with a record 24-5.
Lummi Nation 54, Pateros 45 LUM 9 18 20 7 - 54 PAT 16 8 12 9 - 45
Lummi Nation: Rabang 18, J. James 12, B. Metteba 5, Reeder 12, Dennis 3, LaJuan 0, Morris 0, C. James 4. Pateros: N/A.
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