The Wagner 7th/8th basketball teams concluded their seasons with a pair of games against the Winner Warriors at the Armory in Wagner on Monday, February 27. In the 7th grade game, the Warriors jumped out to an early 8-4 lead after the first quarter. The Raiders went on a run at the beginning of the second quarter to pull within a point, but Winner ended the half on a run of their own to maintain a 17-12 lead at the half. The teams traded baskets in the 3rd quarter to keep the Warriors lead at 5 going into the 4th quarter. The Raiders closed the gap to a one possession game, but couldn’t quite get over the hump as they were defeated by a score of 24-21. The Raiders finish the season with a record of 9-6. Leading scorers were Cruise Koupal with 7, Paxton Kuhlman with 6, Brannon Bruguier with 5, and Payne Petry with 3. Members of the 7th grade team include: Brannon Bruguier, Brock Cournoyer, Kayo Fischer, Jacob Kotab, Cruise Koupal, Isaiah Marshall, Steven Peters, Payne Petry, Zaiden Ross and Gavin Tjeerdsma.

In the 8th grade game, Wagner had some good shots early, but couldn’t get anything to fall as they fell behind the Warriors by a score of 4-0. Soon the shots started going in and the Raiders pushed the tempo and took control of the game as they built a 20-5 lead after the first quarter. The scoring slowed in the 2nd quarter, but the Raiders were able to build on their lead and led 24-7 at the half. The Raiders came out of the half and continued to push the tempo which created some easy basket opportunities as they pushed their lead to 37-10 after the 3rd quarter. The teams exchange baskets in the 4th as the Raiders prevailed by a score of 43-17. The Raiders finish their season with a record of 16-2. Leading scorers were Jesse Zephier and Carolos Galindo each with 14, Javian Pesicka with 6, Dominic Doom with 5, and Benny Greger and Avery Medicine Bear each with 2. Members of the 8th grade team include: Kingston Brunelle, Trasin Dilts, Dominic Doom, Leon Fields, Carlos Galindo, Benny Greger, AJ Kotab, Paxton Kuhlman, Winston Little Moon, Avery Medicine Bear, Beau Otte, Javian Pesicka, Jace Scott, and Jesse Zephier.