The Hastings girls basketball team is making its final push toward the post-season.
The Raiders sit in second place in the Metro East Conference at 8-2 with its only league losses coming to first place, undefeated Mahtomedi.
Hastings is working now to make sure those are the only blemishes on a stellar conference season with just over a week left in conference play. Section seedings are expected next week, and then it’s on to the post-season, where the talented Raiders are hoping for a deep run.
This week, Hastings has games at South St. Paul Wednesday, Feb. 14 before returning to its home court to finish out the regular season with games against Simley Friday, North St. Paul Tuesday and Hill-Murray on Feb. 23.
The Raiders played at Mahtomedi on Feb. 6 and learned again why they lead the league. Hastings was held to just 13 first half points. Despite a strong second half, they fell 73-46. Hastings turned the ball over 28 times in the game.
Keagan McVicker had 13 points for Hastings, while Haley Strain and Ellie Magnus each contributed nine. Violet Schult scored four points, while Lindsey Wagner, Jillian McTague and Sophia Swanson added three and Kayleigh Giesen had two.
Strain and McTague each grabbed nine rebounds, and McVicker had three steals.
Hastings got back on the winning track two days later, beating Two Rivers on Thursday, Feb. 8 by a 63-53 score. The Raiders trailed by three points at half but went to work offensively after the intermission.
McVicker had the hot hand, draining three three-pointers enroute to finishing with 25 points to go along with nine rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Emma Bakker drained a pair of threes and finished with 12 points. Strain dominated the boards. To go along with her 11 points, she had 17 rebounds.
McTague added seven points and eight rebounds, and Rachael Notch and Wagner had four points apiece.
Metro East Conference Standings
Team Conf. Overall
Mahtomedi 10 -0 14-8
Hastings 8-2 15-7
Hill-Murray 7-3 12-10
South St. Paul 6-4 10-12
Two Rivers 4-6 12-10
North St. Paul 2-8 4-15
Simley 2-8 8-13
Tartan 1-9 3-17
