Cardinals boys prepare for District 8 Tournament play
The Washburn Cardinals boys basketball team closed out its regular season slate last week with a pair of tough losses, falling on the road to Richardton-Taylor before dropping its finale against Hankinson at Valley City State University.
Washburn first traveled to take on the Raiders on Tuesday, Feb. 17, in a matchup that carried postseason implications and served as a final tune-up before tournament play.
The Cardinals battled throughout the contest but came up short in a 59-53 decision.
The game remained competitive from start to finish, with Washburn working to keep pace against a disciplined Richardton-Taylor squad.
The Cardinals found offensive rhythm at times, moving the ball and creating scoring opportunities, but struggled to string together enough stops defensively to shift momentum fully in their favor.
Despite the six-point final margin, Washburn remained within striking distance late in the fourth quarter.
However, key possessions down the stretch proved decisive, as the Raiders were able to convert at the free-throw line and limit second-chance opportunities to secure the win.