Raiders’ challenging schedule continues with reigning champs

Lomega’s recent schedule has looked eerily similar to a Tournament of Champions bracket That included Tuesday night when the Raiders hosted reigning Class B champion Calumet, which left town with a 96-46 victory.

It was Lomega’s third consecutive loss since opening the season with a win at Drummond.

Those defeats prior to Calumet were to Dover, a Class B semifinalist last year, and two-time defending Class A state champ Okarche.

All three of those teams are virtual locks to be in the top-five of their respective classes when the initial rankings come out.

Like Okarche, Calumet returned the majority of its roster from the one that hoisted a gold ball a year ago.

Calumet came out swinging early, scored the game’s first eight points and forced Lomega coach Justin Edsall to call two timeouts before the midway point of the first quarter.

But there was little he could do to plug the dam.

The Chieftains scored 53 first-half points and led by 38.

Lomega’s offense picked up in the second half, but still couldn’t keep up with the visitors, who had seven players score eight or more points.

Three of them made at least three 3-pointers, led by Hunter Mayfield’s five. He led all scorers with 22.

Konnor Thiessen added three as part of his 17 points and Kingston Arnold drained four en route to 16 points.

Traevon Smith-Dunn warmed up in the fourth quarter and was the lone Raider to reach double figures. He scored seven of his 11 points in the final frame.

Ben Yost added eight points while Jaxson Snowden scored six.