Without top scorer Lyndzie Caron, the Pen High Lakers topped the Mount Boucherie Bears 59-42 at home Tuesday.
Lakers co-coach Lesley Lacroix said the players responded very well in Caron’s absence.
“We were quite worried not having her at the game considering she has been getting double-doubles in almost all of her games this season and we expect 20-plus points from her on good days,” said Lacroix. “Lots of solid contributions from all our players.”
It was considered a nice turnaround after losing to the Bears by 24 points earlier in the season. Grade 10 Laker Emma Schneider stepped up to earn her first double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. The Lakers top scorers were rounded out by Celine Francisco with 10 points and Jollee Perrier, eight.
The Lakers continue their trend of being slow out of the gate as Lacroix said the start was “not great.” The opening quarter ended with the Lakers leading 10-6. They encountered problems finishing under the basket. Lacroix said that Anika Holowaty was off her game when it came to finishing.
“She is a smart player who finds crafty ways to finish against bigger, more athletic opponents,” said Lacroix. “She made great moves to the hoop, but the ball just wouldn’t drop. One of those games, I guess.”
The Lakers want to continue improving their communication on the defensive side. Lacroix said changes to defensive plays also force the players to think quicker and more leadership is needed from certain players.
The Lakers traveled to Kelowna for the Immaculata Mustang Classic.
Boys lose to Bears
Turnovers burned the Lakers in a 83-59 loss.
Lakers coach Colin Cook figured they had more than 30 turnovers and said you can’t win a game with that many.
“That is crazy,” he said. “They know it and we are just trying to preach simple things. When we play simple basketball, you don’t have to have fancy plays and fancy sets. You just have to do the simple things and not turnover the ball and rebound.”
Kieran Loewen, playing in his first game following a volleyball injury, said reducing their turnovers is the main thing they need to improve. He added they have to avoid hanging their heads after they turn over the ball, noting they have to be “a little bit more mean inside” as they have it in them to play more physical.
“We played OK,” said Loewen who led the Laker attack with 15 points, including three three-pointers. “The offence was alright. We just get in those lulls sometimes. We just need to pick the pace up and keep the intensity going.”
Below, Jayden Doell leaps as he tries to make a basket while pressured by Sasha Josipovic of the Bears.
Loewen said the Bears were stronger and played a more physical game and that hurt the Lakers.
“If we play more physical then we got it,” he said.
The Lakers had a tough start trailing the Bears 28-10 after the first quarter. After the first half they trailed 40-27. In the second half, the Bears outscored the Lakers 43-32. Cook said he believes the poor start had to do with not facing teams that pressure the ball like the Bears.
“It was a good wake up call for the boys, especially the first game back after the break,” he said. “They could have collapsed after that first quarter being 18 down. They battled back. Let it go at the end. They showed good heart, good resiliency, which they have struggled with a little bit in the past.”
Also chipping into the Lakers offence was Dylan Moorman with 12 points.
