By: Joe Shouse, Sportswriter
HAVILAND – It’s what dreams are made of – a script you can not write. A win to end the regular season, a conference title, recognizing the seniors, and then the icing on the cake – in front of the home crowd, a 1,000 point scorer. It all happened on Valentine’s night as the Wayne Trace Lady Raiders accomplished so much.
For starters, the team played Hicksville and a win would crown the Raiders conference champions for the third consecutive year. It wasn’t much of a game as far as being close, or a down-to-the-wire – last-second-shot, if it goes in we have a winner. Rather, the Raiders were in control from the opening tip-off and cruised to a 61-20 drubbing of the Aces. With the win – conference champs with a record of 6-1. Fairview and Holgate at 5-2 finished second followed by Ayersville (4-3), Edgerton (2-5), Tinora (2-5), Hicksville (2-5) and Antwerp (2-5).
Prior to the start of the game the Raiders recognized their three seniors – Sadie Sinn, Kaylee Shepherd and Sara Edwards. All three started in their final game on the Raider home court and all three scored. Sadie finished with seven, Shepherd six and Edwards added three.
The team win, conference title, and special recognition was highlighted by the accomplishments from junior Claire Sinn. Going into the contest Sinn had netted 998 career points and it didn’t take long for the long range sharp-shooter to hit the 1,000 point mark. With 5:50 showing on the clock in the first quarter, Sinn lifted one of her patent three-pointers that hit nothing but net. A brief celebration erupted from the Raider’s student section as confetti shot through the air and a large sign stretched across the students proclaiming “Claire Sinn 1,000 points”. As Raider Nation celebrated, Sinn raced up the bleachers to a group of family well wishers for a moment of celebratory hugs.
Sinn completed the night with 16 to give her 1,014 for her career and moves her into fourth place in most points scored. The top three scorers are Erin Mohr (1,447); Natalie Davis (1,175); and Kacee Hockenberry (1,040). With one more year and barring injury, Sinn would be projected to break the record next season.
“We had to deal with a lot of emotions tonight. That’s the way it is with senior night along with Claire getting her points. With all that was going on we had to really work at staying focused and I thought we did a great job,” said Head Coach Bethany DeJarnett.
The Raiders were up 10-7 after one quarter of play, but stretched their lead out in the second period to take a 30-14 halftime lead.
“Our defense ignited our offense in the second quarter. We stopped their momentum and took control in the second quarter,” said DeJarnett.
The second half was all Wayne Trace as their defense continued to shine, holding the Aces to just four points in the third and two points in the fourth quarter. With the win the Raiders finish the regular season at 19-3.
Miriam Sinn, also a junior, finished with 13 points along with five rebounds, three assists and four steals. Katrina Stoller chipped in eight, Katie Stoller four, Tiffany Sinn two and Christina Graham two, Rachel Stoller did not score but finished with five rebounds.
When commenting on her trio of seniors, DeJarnett had high praise for each of them. “When I look at Sadie, Kaylee, and Sara, I see a high level work ethic. They always came to practice ready to work and with positive attitudes. You can’t ask for anything more.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming tournament, the Raiders will play this Saturday (Feb. 23) at Paulding at 8:00 p.m. The Raiders will face the winner of the Continental verses Crestview match up.
“I like the way we are playing right now. I think we are peaking at the right time and we are looking forward to the tournament and seeing how far we can go,” DeJarnett said.
The Junior Varsity Raiders finished their season with a win over the Aces 33-8.
