Lakers unable to find range

(Continued from Page 7A) who reached double-digits on most nights in the regular season, was limited to just 3 points, while hauling down 11 rebounds.

With 4:05 left, the Lakers scratched back to make it 35-31 as Mayo dished to Tremblay for a soft runner in the lane.

MV’s Williamson ultimately hit the dagger shot, making a soft floater from the baseline.

Bella Smith saw a hook shot rattle off the rim, but had another crack at slicing the MV lead by earning a trip to the foul line. There would be no change in LR’s shooting luck, however, as both shots rolled off the rim and out.

MV kept the door open to a Laker fantastic finish, missing the front end of two 1-and-1 chances.

Laker reserve Olivia England confidently hoisted a 3-pointer with 1:13 left, but the ball teased Laker Nation, appearing set to fall through the netting, only to cruelly bounce back out.

“Had that shot fallen, it would have gotten really interesting,” Coach Banks said.

The Panthers punched their ticket to the next round as Sara Nelson and Williamson each sank a pair of foul shots.

As a dejected group of Lakers headed back to the locker room, Coach Banks looked around the building bearing his father’s name with one thought in mind, “We’ll be back.”

“13 wins, we had an incredible season. We’re a young team, and if we can take the next step in our development, we’ll be back to challenge next season,” he said. “I just feel incredibly bad for our seniors — Melissa (Mayo), who had to put in a lot of hard work to come back from her (knee) injury, Olivia (England) and Carly (Dyer). They worked so hard. I just feel I let them down.”

Stat Lines

Turnovers: Lakers 19, Medomak 19

Free Throws: Lakers 4-22, Medomak 12-26

Rebounds: Lakers 26, Medomak 37

Records: Lakers 13-6, Medomak 13-6

Next: Medomak (13-7) lost to top-ranked Oceanside (20-0) 49-20 in the semifinals. The Mariners will play second-ranked Spruce Mountain for the Class B South title. Spruce beat thirdranked Wells, 38-24.