By KC Holtman
The Lone Star Lady Longhorns are having a great season, and it has been great to see their hard work paying off.
The Longhorns edged Haxtun to win the Class 1A District 5 Tournament title, last Saturday at Wray High School. It was their first district title in a couple of decades.
They are now at Englewood High School on Friday and Saturday to compete in the Region 2 Tournament. The fifth-seed Longhorns will play eighth-seed Front Range Baptist, Friday at 11 a.m. The winner will play second-seed Fleming on Saturday at 11 a.m. for a chance to advance to the Class 1A State Tournament, next week.
Lone Star was ranked number one in the YWKC League and in the District 5 Tournament. 
The first game of the District 5 Tournament was a home game against the Otis Lady Bulldogs one Tuesday February 25. LS stayed true to form and won easily 42-22.
The next game was the semifinal against the Stratton/Liberty Lady Knighted Eagles, last Friday in Wray. It was a more competitive game than the previous, but LS prevailed with a score of 49-42.
Alivia Weathers had 15 points, nine rebounds and three assists, Ali Davis 12 points and eight rebounds, Idahly Martinez nine points and four rebounds, Andrea Kuntz eight points, eight rebounds and three assists, Jayna Lockard five points, and Michaela Kuntz two rebounds.
The win catapulted them into the championship game Saturday against the Haxtun Lady Fightin Bulldogs. It was an action packed game, and the Lady Longhorns are the District 5 Champions with a 27-25 win.
Weathers had 11 points and three rebounds, M. Kuntz six points and six rebounds, A. Kuntz five points and five rebounds, Davis five points and three rebounds, and Lockard three rebounds.
SL boys advance
The Stratton/Liberty Knighted Eagles were one of the hosts of the District Five Tournament on Wednesday Feb 26th. The first game for them was against the Bethune Bobcats.
The home team started a bit flat in the first quarter and was outscored by five points.
The recovered quickly in the second quarter scoring 24 points and allowing the Bobcats to score eight points. The score at halftime was 34-23.
The second half saw the continuation of SL outplaying Bethune and winning big with a score of 64-40.
This win put them into the semi-finals held at Wray School on Friday Feb 28th. They played the Idalia Wolves.
The Knighted Eagles had the leading edge throughout the first quarter, and was up by five points at the end.
SL hit the court a little sluggish in the second quarter and was outscored by two points. The score at halftime was 33-30.
The Knighted Eagles had a renewed determination in the third quarter and started hitting more shots. They outscored the Wolves by three points.
The fourth quarter could have been disastrous, but in the end, the Knighted Eagles held out and brought home at 70-67 point win.
This win put them into the Championship game against the Haxtun Fightin Bulldogs. After a hard fought game, the Knighted Eagles lost 59-66.
SL will travel to Englewood High School to participate in the Region Two Tournament beginning on Friday March 6th at 5 p.m. against the Merino Rams. The winner of this game will play Denver Waldorf at 2:45 p.m.
SL girls advance
The Stratton/Liberty Lady Knighted Eagles hosted the Flagler/Hi-Plains Lady Thunder in the first round of the District Five Basketball Tournament on Tuesday Feb 25th. They would have to win this game to go further.
The home team played tough in every quarter, outscored the Lady Thunder except the third when they were outscored by two points. The final score was 48-27.
SL travelled to Wray on Friday Feb 28th to play the number one ranked Lone Star Lady Longhorns. It was another exciting game! Most people thought that LS would easily outplay SL throughout the game, but that was not the reality. The Lady Knighted Eagles were there to win! They had an outstanding defensive game, and were behind by just one point at half time 24-25.
The second half was still a great game, but not the game SL had anticipated. They still played really well but lost 42-49.
Lauren Thompson made one assist.
Hannah Rigirozzi made two points and four rebounds.
Mattie Crouse made two points, two rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Andrea Hornung made 13 points, 18 rebounds, one assist and six steals.
Crystal Bouchier made three points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Madison Tagtmeyer made two 3-pointers, eight points and one rebound.
RayAnne Griffin made one 3-pointer, nine points, four rebounds, one assist and five steals.
Kennedy Frank made five points and three rebounds.
This loss would put them up against the Lady Wolves on Saturday Feb 29th. SL wanted revenge over the game from the week before when they lost to Idalia. They set their goal to extend their season and worked hard to achieve it. After a tough battle, the Lady Knighted Eagles won 40-31.
The Lady Knighted Eagles earned themselves a trip to the Northeast Region tournament to be held this weekend at Englewood High School. They are going into the tournament as the 9th seed and will play the 4th seeded Flatirons Academy Friday March 6th at 6:30 p.m. Both schools have the same win/loss record so it will be an exciting game. The winner of this game will play Shining Mountain on Saturday March 6th at 12:45 p.m. They are going into the tournament as the 9th seed and will play the 4th seeded Flatirons Academy Friday March 6th at 6:30 p.m. Both schools have the same win/loss record so it will be an exciting game. The winner of this game will play Shining Mountain on Saturday March 6th at 12:45 p.m.