The Lady Raiders traveled to Alexandria last Tuesday night in girls basketball action to take on a Region 5 foe the Hanson Beavers. Wagner would jump out early to a 7-0 lead and post a 26-9 lead after the first quarter. Hanson would keep somewhat respectable the remainder of the half trailing 43-25 at the half. Wagner would continue to keep the gas on the offensive end finishing the game with a 71-45 victory. The Raiders would use a well balanced scoring attack. Ashlyn Koupal would lead all scorers with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 6 blocks, 5 assists and 2 steals. Hayden Knudsen would follow with 15 points and 3 boards. Hannah Holzbauer would finish with 11 points, 5 boards and 2 assists. Braxton Nedved would be the 4th Raider in double figures with 10 points, a team high 9 assists, 6 steals and 2 boards. Ravyn Medricky would put in 9 points, grab a team high 12 boards, and come away with 4 steals. Peytyn Wiechmann would round out the scoring with 2 points, 4 boards and 2 assists. Wagner would shoot 30-61 from the field for 49% while holding the Beavers to 19-51 for 37%. Wagner would out rebound Hanson 33-25. The Raiders would commit 7 turnovers to 15 from Hanson.

The JV team was defeated 33-44. Hanson would jump out to a 13-7 lead and then hold a 27-7 lead at the half. Wagner would mount a come but a little to late as they would out score the Beavers 26-17. Wagner would struggle from the foul line converting only 9-22 and they would commit 17 first half turnovers with a total of 24 for the game. Wagner would shoot 12-45 from the field for 27%. Valencia Big Bear lead all scorers with 14 points and 5 boards. Peytyn Wiechmann and Clarah Soukup would each add 7 points. Clarah would grab 5 rebounds while Peytyn would grab a team high 9 boards and 2 steals. TyShay Medicine Bear would add 2 points, 2 assists and 2 steals. Mila Hopkins would round out the scoring with a point. “This was a game that we had so many opportunities to climb back into the game. We missed a lot from the free throw line and we missed a lot of transition lay-ups and just two-four foot shots.

The girls continued to fight their way back but in the end we can’t come out with only 7 points in the first half with all the great opportunities that we had.”

LATE PUSH FALLS SHORT IN C TEAM LOSS

The C team was defeated in barn burner 37-34. Mila Hopkins led the Raiders with 14 points. Valencia Big Bear added 9. Raeyon Fool Bull added 5 points, Aryonni Picotte, Camry Link and Shania Perdue 2 points.

A NOTE FROM THE COACH:

“The girls did a great job of attacking the basket with and with out the ball tonight. They face guarded Ashlyn with two players, leaving four on three in our favor and we did a great job of attacking. Defensively, we were a little off tonight.

We allowed a few more points than I was expecting from watching Hanson play previously. I would say though they played their best game so far against us. This is why we need to make sure we are always ready to play and need to make sure we don’t have another performance like down in Elk Point. Everyone is bringing their A game for us it seems like.

Great job, ladies! Last note, a huge shout out to Ashlyn for being selected as a 2026 McDonald All-American. She is the first female in South Dakota to attend this game and she is the first male or female Nebraska Cornhusker to also receive this award! Mike Miller is the only other South Dakotan to attend the McDonald’s All-American game which will be hosted in Pheonix Arizona on March 31st.'