by Cassie Florido, photos by Katie Hornbeck and Kelly Fletcher

The STA varsity basketball team lost to Notre Dame de Sion 64 – 47 in the Goppert Center Feb. 27. This marked the third time the Storm defeated the Stars this season, clinching the Irish Cup. The Irish Cup is awarded to the winning school of the annual STA vs. Sion match up.

The game was broadcast live on Metro Sports.

The team also celebrated senior night and held a ceremony to retire Becca Lueke’s jersey number. Becca, last year’s basketball team captain, died in December in a car accident.

Sophomore Eleanor Lueke, Becca’s younger sister, said that this night meant a lot to her family and team.

“STA has been so supportive these past months and it was awesome to see how much respect everyone has for Becca,” Lueke said. “It really reminded [the team] how much of a great leader she was for us last year. She led the team and everyone looked up to her.”

Lueke, who led the Stars with 16 points, said that retiring Becca’s number gave her motivation to play.

“At first it was emotional, but I knew she was there for me the whole game looking over us,” Lueke said. “It motivated me to play like she would, which is with heart and passion. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Becca, and honoring her and her love for the game was amazing.”

Head coach Megan Nyquist said that the emotion of the night translated into the team’s play in the beginning of the game.

“I think the combination of it being a Sion game, being senior night, retiring Becca’s jersey and being on TV there were a lot of emotions and you could definitely see that in the first quarter, from both sides, and that’s why I think it was a low scoring game,” Nyquist said.

The Stars started the first quarter scoreless until the 1:55 mark when senior Maggie Herrington completed the old fashioned three point play as she drove to the basket and drew a foul.

The Stars ended the first quarter trailing the Storm 7-3.

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In the second quarter, led by back to back three pointers from Herrington and Lueke, the Stars went on a scoring run. At the half, the Stars were only down by one, trailing 16-15.

However, in the third quarter, the Storm, scoring five three-pointers were able to gain a strong lead on the Stars. The Storm finished the third quarter up by 12, leading 39-27.

Despite late efforts from Lueke and freshman Tess Rellihan the Stars were defeated 64 – 47.

Herrington said that despite losing, the team still played hard.

“I know how badly everyone wanted to win, but there were just points in the game where we were inconsistent and let them go on runs,” Herrington said.

According to Nyquist, the team played great defense throughout the game, but Sion hit shots and there was nothing the team could do about it.

March 3, the Stars, the number two seed in the Class 5,  District 16 tournament defeated Raymore-Peculiar High School to advance to the District finals. The Stars then faced Lee Summit West High School March 7. However the Stars season ended with a 61 – 42 loss .