Lions Advance Over Plentywood

The Lustre Lions marched into the divisional championship game by downing Plentywood, 71-50, in the semi-final round on Friday, March 7.

The Lions gained control from the opening tip as the scoring of Clay Reddig, Byron Ewing and Prestyn Klatt earned a 7-2 lead in the first three minutes.

After a three-pointer by Carson Solberg closed the margin to 13-9, Johnslee Pierre answered with five straight points. Pierre hit a three-pointer near the end of the quarter for a 21-12 margin.

A pair of three-pointers by Clay Reddig and an inside shot by Pierre increased the gap to 31-14 early in the second quarter.

A drive by Pierre put the Lions ahead by 20 points late in the half, but the Wildcats battled back on five points by Solberg to cut the gap to 4025 at intermission.

The Wildcats came as close as 51-37 on a three-pointer by Henry Kukowski and two free throws by Solberg with 2:29 left in the third period, Lustre regained control on a pair of three-pointers by Klatt. The Lions held a 57-43 lead at the end of the quarter.

Ahead 60-45 two minutes into the fourth period, the Lions’ Pierre and Ewing increased the gap to 19 points. After Solberg fired in a three-pointer, Klatt hit another long shot for a 67-48 lead with 4:21 left.

Leading Lustre’s attack were Pierre with 26, Klatt with 23 and Cam Reddig with 10 points. Also scoring were Clay Reddig with six, Ewing with four and Hadden Olfert with two points.

Ewing grabbed eight rebounds. Clay Reddig had five assists.

Solberg scored 21 points and Nathan Trupe added 10 points for Plentywood.