Excelsior Springs got a taste of playing for a district title in varsity girls basketball last week.

On March 1, the Tigers played St. Pius X of Kansas City at St. Pius for the Class 4 District 15 championship, falling 5933. The loss in the single-elimination postseason tournament ended Excelsior Springs’ season at 9-15.

Excelsior Springs trailed 13-8 after one quarter. The Warriors then begin pulling away by opening the second quarter with a 10-0 run. Madeleine Andreasen finished a pass by Kinley Rogers with a reverse layup to end Excelsior Springs’ scoring drought. St. Pius went on to lead 38-16 at halftime.

The Tigers edged the Warriors 9-7 the third quarter. St. Pius outscored Excelsior Springs 14-8 the final quarter.

Sophomore Bella Loeffert led the Tigers in scoring with 14 points.

The Tigers secured their meeting with St. Pius by holding off Richmond 40-33 in the district semifinals Feb. 28, also at St. Pius.

It was a back-and-forth first quarter. A Rogers free throw gave the Tigers t…