The Sevastopol Girl's Basketball team saw their magical season come to a close Thursday night in Crivitz as they fell to the Wabeno/Laona 44-29 in the WIAA Division 5 sectional final.
The two team's defense dictated the game's pace early as neither team could find their groove offensively. Neither team held the lead by more than four points in the first half. Bailey Rikkola helped keep the Pioneers afloat scoring 10 of her 12 team-high points in the first half.
The second half started much like how the first half played out with both teams' defenses suffocating each other's offenses. The Rebels were able to take any momentum the gain carried when a delayed charging call against Naomi Rikkola took points off the board and started a 7-0 run. The Pioneers could only muster two made field goals in the second half while the Rebels' Malerie Krawze took over the game with 10 of her team-high 12 points coming after halftime. Four other Rebels players contributed seven points in their second straight Sectional Semi-Final win. For the Pioneers, Naomi Rikkola added seven points while Kayla Ranly and Libby Ash each chipped in three points.
The Sevastopol Pioneers finish their season 25-2 overall after winning their first regional title since 1985.
