by MaryMichael Hough photos by Katherine Mediavilla and Mary Hilliard

The STA basketball team will be moving on in the District tournament. The Stars defeated Raymore Peculiar High School on Tuesday night at home 37-27.

Sophomore Tess Rellihan led the team with nine points, followed by juniors Eleanor Lueke and Ryan Wilkins, both with seven points.

Rellihan drained a last second three-pointer at the end of the first quarter and the Stars went into the second quarter leading 14-1. A three-pointer from senior AnnaMarie Fiorella and baskets from Lueke and junior Rachael Skeens allowed the Stars to go into halftime ahead of RayPec 21-9. After beginning the fourth quarter leading 27-21, the team used their free throws to lengthen the lead and beat the Panthers by 10 points.

According to Lueke, the team was successful in the execution of Tuesday’s game plan by putting pressure on RayPec’s “main players” Meghan Maher and Taylor Koper.

“We all contributed in a positive way, played with energy and came out with the win,” Lueke said. “We’ve been working hard all year for these district games and our defense definitely was the main contributor to tonight’s win.”

Rellihan agrees that the team’s defense was a key point in their win.

“I think we can improve [for the next game] by having a higher intensity when we play and staying hyped and excited throughout the whole game and just be energized on both offense and defense,” Rellihan said.

The Stars will host Lees Summit West High School 7:00p.m. Thursday.

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