The point guard has the Lightning two victories away from setting a new record for wins in a season and in position to record the program’s best finish in league play. The Lightning are more than ready for the postseason after missing it the past two seasons.
Last season, Sage Hill decided not to compete in the playoffs after receiving an at-large berth. The reason behind it didn’t go over so well with Loper.
“That was really disappointing,” Loper said of the seniors deciding to forgo the playoffs for the snow. “The seniors didn’t want to give up their planned trips, just for one CIF playoff game. They expected to lose in the first round.
“The younger guys wanted to go to the playoffs.”
Those youngsters returned hungrier than ever. Sage Hill, ranked No. 14, plans to finish strong and enter the postseason with momentum.
Sage Hill is currently in second place in league. The team has won its previous three league contests, including last week’s 83-59 victory against Crean Lutheran South. Loper finished with 23 points, his best offensive output in league.
Loper turned in his best performance at the start of the winning streak. The Lightning needed a big victory, to snap a two-game skid in league, and to make history.
Sage Hill considers St. Margaret’s its rival. Usually in a rivalry, each school has succeeded against the other at some point. Before this season, the Lightning have never defeated St. Margaret’s in boys’ basketball.
Loper tried to change that on the night of Jan. 22.
On the road, with the home bleachers full to capacity and everyone stomping, Loper stood on the free-throw line with the game tied at 51-51 in the fourth quarter. It was late, Beeler saying there were 9.9 seconds left.
