Lakes Area Starz win silver medal
GIRLS' BASKETBALL
The Lakes Area Starz, a girls' basketball team made up of 11 girls from 10 area high schools, finished second in the State Games of America at Colorado Springs, Colo.
The Starz went 3-0 in pool play and won their first two games in bracket play in the grade 9-10 division before losing to the Rockies Black 2013 team from Denver 46-37 for the championship.
In pool play Aug. 14, the Starz beat the Lady Legends of Colorado Springs 47-30. Ten girls scored for the Starz, led by September Prushek (Crosby-Ironton), Mattie Lueck (Pequot Lakes) and Jessica Lillquist (Sebeka) with eight points each.
LAS then beat the Ute Mountain team from the Four Corners Region 64-21. On Aug. 15, LAS defeated the Hot Shots from Grant, N.M., 33-27.
LAS was seeded third and was one of three remaining unbeaten teams left before bracket play.
Members of the Lakes Area Starz included front row: Avery Jackson (left, Wadena-Deer-Creek), September Prushek (Crosby-Ironton), Kayla Kraemer (Brainerd), Emily Lueck (Pequot Lakes). Back: Coach Jon Lillquist (Sebeka), Kelsey Rice (Staples-Motley), Mattie Lueck (Pequot Lakes), Jessica Lillquist (Sebeka), Arei Stokes (Bertha-Hewitt), Alicia Boe (New York Mills). Not pictured: Tatum Sheley (Pine River-Backus).
In the opening round of bracket play, the Starz beat the Lady Legends in a rematch 54-43.
In the semifinals LAS beat the No. 2-seeded and undefeated New Mexico Spears of Fermington, N.M., 53-43.
With their runner-up finish, LAS received an invitation to participate in the 2011 State Games of America in San Diego. LAS also took home silver in these Games in 2007.