Being out of shape prevented the Pen High Lakers senior girls basketball team from playing the fast paced game they like.
In preparation to start their season next week, the Lakers hosted the first annual Len Cox Lakettes Memorial Tournament Nov. 28-30. The Lakers edged the Okanagan Mission Huskies 58-54, after opening with a 61-49 loss against the South Kamloops
Titans and finishing with a 67-46 loss against the Walnut Grove Gators.
“We played well for November ball,” said Lakers coach Lesley Lacroix, who added the fitness level should be where they want it by January.
The Lakers’ toughest opponent were the Gators from the Fraser Valley. They had a strong post player that gave the Lakers some trouble, as well as an athletic forward and strong guard. Lacroix said her players matched well against them but the fitness was a factor down the stretch.
“We got down early in the first quarter (11-1) but managed to tie it up by the third quarter, but ran out of gas and lost by 20,” she said.
During the tournament Lacroix wanted to see a fast paced transition that would prevent opponents from pressing as they rely on a fast break offence. At the other end, she wanted a full court pressing defence. She said both were there for half the game.
In the loss to the Titans, Natasha Reimer led with 19 points and added 21 boards. Haylee Robertson scored 11 points to go with 10 boards and Tessa Lannon-Paakspuu had nine points and five steals. Against the Huskies, Robertson led with 16 points and had 11 rebounds, while Reimer had 11 points and grabbed 17 boards. Paakspuu scored 11 points with seven steals. Against the Gators, Robertson had 13 points, 13 boards, Reimer had 11 points with 16 boards and Anika Holowaty scored six points.
The tournament was a fundraiser for a bursary in Cox’s name. He is a former Pen High teacher, counsellor and administrator of 30 years who died this year. Cox established and ran the scholarship bursary foundation that currently gives more than $200,000 in educational funding to grads from Pen High, Princess Margaret and Summerland. Cox also coached the Lakettes throughout his career.
This weekend the Lakers head to Abbotsford for a M.J. Mouat tournament.
