By Coach Brian Walker

The Minnewaska Area C-squad team opened the 2022-23 season by traveling to Redwood Valley to take on the Cardinals on Saturday, Dec. 3.  This year’s team consists of 13 players: Tristan O’Neil, Ben Johnson, Marshall Kopp, Conner Erickson, Mason Danielson, Drew Bleick, Caleb Kath, Carter Huckle, Brandon Wood, AJ Svec, Ike Spychalla, Riley Week and Oliver Van der Hagen.  

The Lakers started slow against Redwood as the Cardinals jumped to a quick lead behind some 3 pt shooting.  However, the young Lakers settled down and would take a 24-17 lead at the half behind 10 points each by Tristan O’Neil and Conner Erickson.  In the second half, it would be the Lakers’ pressure defense which would lead to some Cardinal turnovers and some transition baskets as the Lakers would go on to extend the lead and get the 52-35 victory over Redwood Valley.  Tristan O’Neil finished the game with 24 points and several steals, while Conner Erickson ended with 12 points, Caleb Kath had four, Ben Johnson and Drew Bleick each hit 3 pointers, and Oliver Van der Hagen, Riley Week and Marshall Kopp each had two points.  “It was a total team win.  The guys showed great energy on the floor, and executed the offense and defense well in their first game.  It will be great to see their development as the season moves on,” coach Walker said.

The Laker C-squad played Montevideo at home last Tuesday night and the young Lakers jumped out on the Thunderhawks early, eventually settling for a 45-14 win.  Drew Bleick jump-started the team with all of his 13 points coming in the first half as the team would take a commanding 24-9 lead at the break.  Then in the second half, the Lakers would apply a suffocating defensive effort holding Monte to just five second-half points while Minnewaska would add another 21 points to pick up their second win in as many outings.  

“It was another team effort, as everyone on the team made contributions.  If it wasn’t scoring, it was rebounding, or playing solid defense,” coach Walker said.  The Lakers had three players scoring in double figures; Conner Erickson lead the way with 14 points, scoring 10 in the second half, Bleick had 13 points, Tristan O’Neil had another solid game with 11 points, Caleb Kath added 4 points and Marshall Kopp finished the scoring with 3 points.