Lady Rangers Shock Crowd in Nail-Biter Against Wyoming Sem
By: Carrie Miner Yaple | SportzWire | December 2, 2025 | Photo courtesy Carrie Miner Yaple @v1sion_media
Northwest High School, District 4 — The gym pulsed with electricity long before tipoff, but few in the house expected what the Northwest Lady Rangers were about to deliver. Against perennial powerhouse District 2 Wyoming Seminary, most in attendance merely hoped the Rangers could avoid a repeat of last year’s twenty-plus-point defeat.
What unfolded instead was a statement.
A Dream Start
The Lady Rangers exploded out of the gate, scoring the first 10 points of the game and sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Fans rose to their feet as the scoreboard flashed a stunning 10–0 Northwest lead, while Wyoming Sem stood visibly stunned.
Head coach Jaxson Yaple had clearly crafted a meticulous game plan—and his players executed it with poise and precision. Despite the nerves and adrenaline, the Rangers stuck to Yaple’s strategy of containing Sem’s star junior Ella Stambaugh, a Division I recruit with multiple offers.
Northwest closed the first quarter leading 13–4, and with that, belief filled the gym. Suddenly, the impossible looked very real.
Sem Fights Back
Wyoming Seminary regrouped in the second quarter, showing why they are one of the region’s most respected programs. By halftime, the Rangers still held the lead, 24–18, with team fouls even at 7–7.
But the second half told a different story at the foul line. While Northwest was whistled for 7 team fouls, Sem picked up only 2. The crowd voiced its frustration loudly, especially as the Rangers continued attacking the basket aggressively but didn’t receive comparable calls.
Stambaugh capitalized where it mattered most, finishing 6 for 9 from the free-throw line—points that proved costly for Northwest. Several late no-calls and light-contact fouls against the Rangers added tension to an already heated matchup.
By the end of the third quarter, Sem had edged ahead 31–29, marking a dramatic shift in momentum.
A Battle to the Final Second
The Rangers never folded. The crowd erupted with chants of “DEFENSE!” as Northwest fought to reclaim control. Impressively, they held Stambaugh to just 2 points in both the first and fourth quarters—a defensive victory in itself.
But her explosive second and third quarters pushed her to a game-high 22 points, ultimately the difference-maker.
Offensively, the Rangers were led by Ava Ruckle with 16 points and Ali Miner with 15. Both teams struggled with turnovers, but Northwest suffered several at critical moments that swung opportunities back to Sem.
Still, the Rangers nearly authored a dream ending. With about five seconds remaining, they stole the ball under their own basket and had a chance to win it. The final shot, however, fell just short.
Wyoming Seminary escaped with a narrow 38–37 victory.
A Loss That Feels Like a Beginning
Though the final buzzer brought heartbreak, the game signaled something unmistakable: the Lady Rangers are for real.
In a matchup few thought they would keep close—let alone control for much of the game—Northwest established themselves as one of District 4’s rising forces.
Postgame With Coach Jaxson Yaple
When asked what he took away from the game, Coach Yaple praised both execution and grit:
“I thought the execution of our game plan worked very well. We made it through 32 minutes competing against a very talented player. We played with grit and toughness for all four quarters, playing through adversity. Obviously we have a lot of room for improvement, but we had a shot to win it at the end—it just didn’t fall.”
On helping the team balance pride with growth, Yaple emphasized resilience:
“I told them in the locker room to pick up their heads. That wasn’t a performance that should make you feel bad about yourself or your team. I believe we played a better game and a few things rolled their way instead of ours. They executed what I asked them to do, just weren’t able to pull it out in the end.”
He added that this group thrives on learning:
“Although it’s a tough loss, the group we have looks at the things they could do better individually and as a team, and they work toward bettering themselves every day. It’s a long season, and playing games like this will help us in those kinds of games down the line.”
Looking Ahead
The Lady Rangers may not have secured the upset, but they earned something just as important: respect. From the opening tip to the final desperate shot, they proved they belong in the district’s conversation of top teams.
If this performance is any indication, Northwest’s season could be something special.
