Girls’ basketball faces Ursuline tonight

Patriots took the Suburban West title last Thursday

Junior+Lani+Thompson+looks+to+pass+the+ball+in+a+recent+game+against+Fox.+Thompson+was+just+named+Suburban+West+Player+of+the+Year.

Ilda Okanovic

Junior Lani Thompson looks to pass the ball in a recent game against Fox. Thompson was just named Suburban West Player of the Year.

The Patriot girls’ basketball team will hit the court tonight against Ursuline Academy at 7 p.m. at Kirkwood High School for the first round of District play.

The Patriots won the Suburban West Conference title last Thursday when they beat Rockwood Summit, 53-40. The Patriots come into the game against the Bears with a 15-11 record. The Ursuline Bears are 8-16. The two teams have not played each other previously this season.

The Patriots are being led offensively by junior guard Lani Thompson who averages 16.8 points per game this season. Thompson is this year’s Suburban West Conference Player of the Year after leading the Conference in scoring and rebounding. On Feb. 22 she scored her 1000th point at a Patriot in a win over Rockwood Summit. Second offensively on the team is senior guard Mia Patterson who is averaging 11.3 points per game. The Patriots are coached by Head Coach Thomas Williams.

Thompson said she is excited to be named Player of the Year for the Suburban West.

“It feels awesome,” she said.

She said the team is prepared for tonight’s game against Ursuline.

“We have to work hard and make sure we rebound and beat them in the free-throw game,” she said.