Tough Time For Timberwolves Fans, Team Persevere To Bitter End

The silence of disbelief was deafening.

No shouts. No cheers. Just long faces, watery eyes and the realization that the undefeated Lake City High School girls basketball team from Coeur d’Alene had just lost the state championship.

A lack of coaching wasn’t why the team lost, 65-49, to Boise’s Centennial High School on Thursday.

The girls had a stand full of help - back-seat coaches - who scolded, encouraged and shared the pain of defeat in the game’s final seconds.

Sporting blue and white shirts embroidered with “Lady T-Wolves,” parents, grandparents and friends roared with support throughout the game.

Ken and Jean Ladd had flown from Overland Park, Kan., to root for granddaughter Laura Dodge.

“There’s a lot to be said for losing,” Jean Ladd, 71, said. “We learn a lot from those experiences. But it’s hard on everyone.”

Following the players’ lead, Lake City’s cheering section refused to give up until the final buzzer had sounded.

The final minute of the game was an emotional roller coaster.

With 51.3 seconds left, the Coeur d’Alene crowd hissed angry words as the referees called a foul on the Timberwolves.

At 36.5 seconds, Lindsay Herbert’s mother, Shana Crimp, put drops in her red eyes.

“Foul, ref, you idiot,” an angry father erupted as 24.2 seconds flashed on the clock.

Rachel Riggs sighed. “I feel so bad for those seniors. What a lousy game for them,” said Riggs, whose daughter and husband spent the game on the bench.

Jennifer Riggs is a junior who recently moved up from the junior varsity team. Her father, state Sen. Jack Riggs, is an assistant coach.

Ten seconds remaining. Laura Dodge fouled out. She walked slowly to the bench and covered her teary face with her jersey.

The buzzer sounded.

Silence.

“We can still get third and be the winners of the losers’ bracket,” Rachel Riggs said.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo