By Rich Winter

RAPID CITY — With Red Cloud missing three consecutive free-throws and hanging on to a precarious 50-49 lead with 10 seconds remaining in Friday’s semifinal game with Rapid City Christian, Red Cloud Rhionna Brewer stepped to the line for two shots. 

She missed the first, made the second and watched as the Comets missed a potential game winning shot at the buzzer as the Crusaders prevailed 51-49. 

“I missed the first one and I was like ‘Oh my gosh, I really need to make this second one,’ ” Brewer said. “I felt like I really needed to make that second one because I wanted to win and I didn’t want to let my team down.” 

The Red Cloud girls return to Saturday’s Lakota Nation Invitational championship game where they will face Lakota Tech, a team they beat 72-65 in overtime to claim the 2021 championship.

Immediately following the game Red Cloud coach Matt Rama pumped his fists in elation to a wave of thunderous applause from the Red Cloud fans. Despite an entirely new starting five Rama has the Crusaders vying for another championship. 

“We only had one girl coming back that played at state or at Lakota Nation,” Rama said. “Everyone is new and this is their first real experience.” 

Tied at 10-10 with 10 minutes remaining in the first half, Red Cloud closed the half on a tear. Baskets from Jewelia LeBeau and Lolo Carlow extended the lead. The Crusaders opened a 20-12 lead after LeBeau scored then found Anjah Lamont for an easy basket. 

The Comets found a little rhythm late in the half with Olivia Keiffer and Brynn Casey each knocking down 3-pointers. Kieffer made two technical foul shots at the 2:26 mark that tied the game at 20. 

Red Cloud on the strength of Brewer’s baseline drive, Lolo Carlow’s 3-pointer, a bucket from Maikole Carlow and a pair of free-throws from Brewer helped Red Cloud lead 29-20 at intermission. 

Red Cloud looked to be in control and took its biggest lead of the game, 46-32, at the 6:50 mark of the second half on an inside basket from Victoria Good Buffalo. 

The Comets would not go quietly as Kieffer hit a 15-footer. After a pair of free-throws from Alexa Ham, Kieffer’s layup cut the lead to 46-38 forcing a Red Cloud timeout with 5:51 remaining. 

Trailing 50-40, Ham hit another free throw, Kieffer a 3-pointer and her free throws at the 3:04 mark cut the lead to 50-46. After a missed Red Cloud free throw, Kieffer hit another pair from the line.

Trailing 50-48 Kieffer made one-of-two free throws setting up Brewer’s free-throw that helped seal the game. 

“To be up by 14 and give that back, that's just part of a new team,” Rama said. “This is their first time in that situation. They didn’t do a very good job, which is to be expected but we’ll get better.” 

Freshman Ashlan Carlow led Red Cloud with 13 points. Lolo Carlow finished with nine points and talked about reaching Saturday’s championship game. 

“We are really young and not a lot of us have this crunch time experience,” she said. “Ever since I was a little girl I’ve been watching Lakota Nation and I’ve always wanted to play in a championship game.” 

Kieffer led Rapid City Christian with 24 points and 12 rebounds.