Lady Tiger middle school hoopsters cap two-year run of excellence

The 2019-20 Nevada Middle School eighth-grade Lady Tiger basketball team is all smiles after winning their second consecutive Big 8 Conference Tournament championship. Pictured front row, from left: Lanie Jackson, Clara Swearingen, Katie Johnson, Lindey Wilson, Reese Hedges, and team-manager Paige Hertzberg. Back row, l-r: Head coach Lori Thorp, Alli Balk, Kara Phillips, Abbi Balk, Anna Ashby, Skyler Burns, and Lakyn Applegate.

Submitted photo

The Nevada Lady Tiger eighth-grade basketball team has achieved back-to-back dream seasons on the hardwood — winning 28 of 29 games over a two-year span.

As seventh-graders last year, they finished 15-0 en route to the Big 8 Conference Tournament championship.

The reigning conference champs successfully defended their Big 8 Tournament crown last week, capping their eighth-grade season 13-1 overall.

"I had a great time working with this group of girls, and enjoyed watching them grow," said head coach, Lori Thorp. "I am excited to see them continue to develop in the future, and watch their continued success."

Thorp noted they were a fun and relaxed group.

"(They had) a desire to win," she said. "They all contributed in their own way, and (wanted) to be successful. They have been playing together for many years — (and) each know what their job is, and (worked) together as a team to achieve it."

The ultra-talented club didn't experience much adversity, as they typically rolled to victory. Thorp, however, said that a 40-37 overtime victory in their regular-season final over Webb City is one example of adversity they overcame.

"Watching them persevere against Webb City," Thorp began. "Our girls pulled through, and did not give up."

Thorp added that under her tutelage they learned to play at a more controlled pace, and with better patience.