Congratulations, Saxony Lutheran girls basketball

It was a big weekend for the Saxony Lutheran Crusaders.

The girls basketball team played for the state title, first in Thursday's Class 3 semifinal, then in Saturday's championship game.

The Crusaders entered Thursday's game at Mizzou Arena as the second-ranked team in Class 3, and beat Southern Boone 53-40.

On Saturday, they played third-ranked Strafford. The fight was a little harder. Strafford scored early and often, and though Saxony made up some ground by outscoring Strafford in the fourth quarter, it wasn't enough to cover the difference.

In the end, Strafford took home the win, breaking Saxony's 24-game winning streak. But the Crusaders should feel proud of how far they advanced and how hard they fought.

"They're hurting now, but they don't realize how special of a group of players these girls are," Saxony coach Sam Sides told the Southeast Missourian. "I'm very thankful and blessed to have coached them."

Congratulations to Crusaders and Sides, and especially to the eight seniors concluding their basketball careers at the school. We wish them luck, and look forward to more great basketball to come from the team next season.