By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net

The Lee’s Summit North girls’ basketball team had the Crimson Crazies, school alumni and many friends pile into the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena on Sat., March 10 to see the Broncos advance to the State Final Four in Springfield. The task before them was to beat the Liberty Blue Jays. The Broncos overcame a first quarter deficit to enjoy a halftime lead in this quarterfinal round game. Later when they fell behind again late in the contest another come back seemed to be in order. This time the Broncos did not overcome the challenge in a season ending 44-41 loss.

Lee’s Summit North may not have made the Final Four like they had hoped but they finish the season with a high number of achievements. The Broncos had to beat the favored North Kansas City Hornets 47-46 in overtime to advance to the quarterfinal round against Liberty. Before then the Broncos celebrated earning their first district title since 2014. The District Championship was won when the Broncos defeated rival Lee’s Summit West 57-43.

Both players and coaches at Lee’s Summit North earned rave reviews throughout the season as the team compiled a record of 21-6. Highly recruited 6’3” senior Aiyana Johnson played well and the Crimson Crazies enjoyed watching senior Micaela Dickerson and Tiana Gipson have superb games at their home gym. Longtime Lee’s Summit North head coach Tricia Lillygren earned her 400th coaching win during the season that saw her receive many accolades.

Lee’s Summit North may wish the ball had gone through the hoop more times in their last game but when reviewing the 2017-18 season the Broncos can look at how many times the ball did bounce their way in a memorable season.