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LNI boys: Red Cloud sits atop tourney
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FarkRAPID CITY — Red Cloud used its quickness and depth to down a game White River 86-66 in the 2007 Lakota Nation Invitational championship game at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center on Saturday night.
The Crusaders outscored the Tigers 40-24 in the second half before a large crowd watching the two teams, who were both ranked second in their respective classes.
In the end it was the Class A Crusaders with the win.
“We had to play in the breakfast bracket the last couple of years, so this really feels good,” said Red Cloud head coach Matt Rama of his first LNI championship win.
“This group of kids has played together since their sophomore year. We just wore them down,” said Rama in his fifth year coaching the Crusaders.
Tournament MVP Louie Krogman scored 39 points for White River, but he didn’t get as much help, as Red Cloud had nine players score in the game.
David Giago scored 21 points to lead Red Cloud. Carl Swallow added 18 and Christian McGhee had 12.
The Crusaders made some adjustments on the defensive boards after the intermission and White River couldn’t come up with an answer.
Carl Swallow scored Red Cloud’s first six points and the Crusaders went on a spurt, outscoring White River 14-0 to take a 62-48 lead with 1:20 to play in the third quarter.
Krogman’s three-point play pulled the Tigers to within 50-48 with 5:48 on the clock, but the Tigers then went over 4-1/2 minutes without any points.
The Crusaders went to work inside as they scored all but three points inside the paint.
Mike Twiss contributed seven points for Red Cloud, which led 67-55 heading into the final stanza.
“The kids made the adjustments all by themselves,” said Rama. “We just played unselfish ball and everybody worked hard.”
In a fast-paced first quarter, Red Cloud opened with a 10-3 lead as Art Vitalis canned a pair of three’s in the first couple minutes.
Matt Bartlett had six of his 13 points working on the inside as White River battled back as they tied the game at 19-all with 1:30 left.
Krogman scored 13 points on a variety of jump shots. His three at the buzzer pulled the Tigers to within three, 27-24.
The second quarter’s pace equaled that of the first as both teams played a fast-paced tempo.
David Giago off the bench sparked the Crusaders as he scored nine points
Christian McGhee’s three gave Red Cloud a 43-35 lead, its biggest of the half with 1:51 left on the clock.
Red Cloud got active on the boards, and the Crusaders were able to get second and sometimes third attempts.
Krogman hit a turn-around three at the buzzer, as White River pulled to within 46-42.
Krogman had 22 points at the intermission. Giago had 12 to lead Red Cloud.
After setting the all-time boy’s scoring record on Thursday, Krogman set a LNI record with 137 points in the four games.
Red Cloud's Lester Gotheridge, right, battles for a rebound with White River's R.J. Estes during the second quarter of the Lakota Nation Invitational championship game. (Ryan Soderlin/Journal staff)
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