Great late: Raiders own 4th quarter

The Williamsburg Raiders don't dominate. They just win.Fueled by fourth-quarter success rather than costing through a string of blowouts, Williamsburg takes an 8-0 record into the break, as well as undisputed first place in the hard-to-figure Wamac Conference."Style points don't matter," said Raiders Coach Aaron Feddersen. "This is a balanced league, and it has made for some really competitive games. They have to be fun to play and fun to watch, but they're a little more stressful for me."None of the Raiders' games have been decided by more than 15 points. Each of the last six ended with a victory margin of seven or less. Six times, the Raiders have led by three points or less, been tied or trailed entering the final period.Each time, though, they've gotten the job done late."If we are in the ball park going to the fourth quarter, we feel pretty good about our chances," Feddersen said.It helps to have a veteran lineup. Feddersen starts four seniors -- including Drake recruit Paige Greiner, a point guard who averages 14.4 points per game -- and a junior."The experience helps," Feddersen said. "In our eight games, we've had four different kids leading us in scoring. That helps from the mental standpoint. The kids trust in each other to make plays."Claire Simmons, the only non-senior in the rotation, adds 8.0 points per game. Sadie Ritchie, Maeve Broeg and Tina Lane add 7.5, 6.1 and 5.5, respectively.Broeg, the leading rebounder, has come back from an ACL tear.Last year, the Raiders committed about 20 turnovers per game. This year, it's 12.4 per contest."That's an acceptable number," Feddersen said. "It gives us more opportunities to score."If the Wamac has taught us anything this season, it's that anything can happen. That means landmines galore await the Raiders after break."There's not a bad team in the league," Feddersen said. "Every night, there's a score or two that makes you go, 'Huh?' The league champion might have two or three losses."

WELCOME TO THE CLUBThree more area players have reached the 1,000-point mark for their careers.* Iowa City High senior Haley Lorenzen reached the milestone Saturday in the Little Hawks' win over Linn-Mar. Lorenzen has 1,025 points in her career. The Little Hawks (9-0) moved to No. 1 in Class 5A after beating Waterloo West on Tuesday.* Cedar Valley Christian junior Shelby Hembera got there Saturday in the Huskies' loss to Don Bosco. Hembera scored all 40 of Cedar Valley's points Saturday and leads the state in scoring at 33 points per game. She has 1,027 in her career.* North Linn junior Nicole Miller made it Tuesday in the Lynx's victory over East Buchanan. Miller has 1,017 points in her career, and North Linn is 51-6 since her arrival (7-0 this season).

SHEPHERD SEEKS No. 750West Delaware Coach Harold Shepherd pursues his 750th career win Friday when the Hawks visit Marion.Shepherd is in his 47th year of coaching, including his fourth at West Delaware. He has compiled a career mark of 749-323, winning state titles at Vinton (six-player, 1984) and Vinton-Shellsburg (Class 3A, 1995).This is his best West Delaware team. The Hawks are 5-2.