Early season success has been hard to come by recently for the Lone Tree Lion girls’ basketball team (6-3 overall). Over the last three years, Lone Tree won a total of eight games during the months of November and December. This season, the Lady Lions enter the new year with six wins in their nine games played.

Lone Tree is winning despite scoring less than 35 points per game, ranking seventh in offensive output among the 11-team Southeast Iowa Super Conference North. Lone Tree’s success has been predicated on their defense, holding opposing teams to just 26.5 points per game in their six victories.

A trio of juniors lead the Lions in most statistical categories. Elena Sieverding is the team’s top scorer, recording 83 points, and has swiped a team-best 29 steals. Sieverding and Derik Chandler are tied for the team lead in assists with 11. Maryssa Grover is the team leader in rebounds, collecting 53 so far, and her six blocks tops the squad.

The Lions return to the court January 5, visiting rural Kalona for a SEISC North battle with the Iowa Mennonite School (0-7 overall).