Lady Spartans Prove They’re In East C Mix

One thing is for sure following the opening week of games in the 2020-21 Montana High School Association girls’ basketball season, and that is the Scobey Spartans proved they are in the mix of getting out of the division and back into the state tourney for the third straight season. It’s not a lock nor a gimme, but they are indeed a contender, proving so Friday night in Hinsdale in a 41-36 loss to the North Country Mavericks. The Mavs of the Saco, Whitewater and Hinsdale communities, one of a few teams that could represent the East C at the State C, bolted to a 6-0 lead in the initial two minutes of the contest and later led 10-2 early in the second quarter.

The Spartans responded with an 8-0 run to tie it at 10, with senior Gracee Lekvold hitting a 3-ball from the left wing, junior Daisy Hersel sinking one from the right wing and then, as the trailer, converting an offensive rebound into points for the tie.

Scobey took the lead with 4:18 left in the third quarter when senior Ryleigh Backman hit a layup on an inbounds play making it 20-19 but the Mavs took it right back via the marksmanship of Tia Wasson. Lekvold gave the Spartans their second and final advantage at 25-23 when she sank a 3-pointer but North Country finished the quarter with a 5-0 run for a 28-25 lead.

Wasson expanded the lead to 35-27 wh...