On Saturday, March 4, 2022, the LHS girls’ varsity basketball team played a very intense game that sealed their spot for the State Basketball Tournament. LHS beat Mitchell in the playoffs on Friday, winning 43-38. State this year will be held in Rapid City, SD starting on March 10 and will go until March 12. LHS plays at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, 2022. 

“Well, I am very proud of this group of players, this year in particular,” said head coach Matt Daly. “We had such a challenging season last year, missing out on the State Tournament and going 4 for 14 last year.” 

All of the players are very excited about going to State, especially Mariah Siem, one of the shooting guards on the team. Siem, who is only a junior, starts on varsity this year. 

 “I am excited about being able to play [in] a State Championship in a big arena with some of my best friends,” said Siem. 

The team ends up spending a lot of time with each, between practice, game days and team dinners. This leads them to grow very close to one another and build stronger bonds, which is very important when playing together. 

“My favorite part about being a part of the team is all the laughs and memories we get to share together,” said Siem. “Every team meal and game day are always so much fun. Competing, of course, is also a huge part of it.” 

Before games, many athletes have certain routines to make them prepared for their big day. Athletes will have special food they eat or a song they listen to, when preparing for the game. Having a routine can reduce stress which is key to fully focus on basketball. 

“Every morning on a game day I make my lucky oatmeal,” said Siem. “After school, I go home and make a smoothie with the same ingredients in it.”

There are a total of eight teams playing in the tournament, with the hope that LHS will come out as number one. 

“The best outcome would be to win the State Championship and come back with something huge to celebrate with the team and the rest of the school,” said Siem.