RAPID CITY - Red Cloud overcame an early 10-3 deficit and rolled past the Standing Rock Warriors of North Dakota 78-48 in the Lakota Nation Invitational boys basketball semifinals Friday night.
Red Cloud now takes on White River, a 76-65 winner over Standing Rock, N.D.
Red Cloud coach Matt Rama said the Crusaders have been making a habit of slow starts lately.
"We struggled early for the first couple games. I don't know why," Rama said. "I don't know if it's just that we've never been in the semifinals of the LNI and we're trying too hard or what."
Red Cloud needed the better part of the first quarter to get untracked, then surged to a 20-17 lead at the end of the period.
A 15-5 run in the second quarter put the Crusaders up 34-22 at the half. Red Cloud shut down the Warriors the rest of the way.
"Once we kind of settled in, we scored in bunches," Rama said. "We got the pace we wanted and got some pressure going, got some turnovers and changed the tempo of the game."
Standing Rock didn't get many looks at the basket that didn't have a defending hand in the way.
"We try to stay intense. We're not very big, so we have to use our speed a lot," Rama said.
"We try to press the ball a lot and keep it a quick game."
The Warriors went almost four minutes into the third quarter before Derrick Iron Shield finally broke the ice with one of just three baskets for Standing Rock in the period.
Tracy Irving had 12 points for the Warriors, Derrick Iron Shield finished with 10 points and Christian Iron Shield added nine points
David Giago scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead the Crusaders. Lester Gotheridge added 12 points and Christian McGhee nine for Red Cloud.
The Crusaders 4-0, are seeking their fifth LNI championship, but first since 1989. Todd County's best finish was second to Custer in 1992. White River is making its first appearance at the LNI.
"We're just happy to have a chance to play one of two good, well-coached teams. We'll figure out a game plan, then come out and do the best we can," Rama said.
Standing Rock, 2-3, will face Todd County for third place today at 3:30 p.m. at Goodell Gym on the South Dakota School of Mines campus.
