By Coach Brian Walker

The Minnewaska C-squad started a three-game road trip with a game at Melrose last Tuesday.  The Dutchmen used their height advantage to cause the Lakers some early problems with turnovers and altering shots.  Melrose jumped to a 17-4 halftime lead, but the Lakers fought back and cut the deficit to 31-21 at the end of the game.  

It was the frigid shooting in the first half that put the Lakers in a hole, as the team made just 2-of-13 shots (15 percent), scoring a season low four points in the first half.  In the second half, however, the team settled down and outscored Melrose 17-14 with Riley Week scoring six points in the second half.  The shooting improved as well as the team knocked down 7-of-18 shots (39 percent) to help cut into the Dutchmen lead.  For the game, Tristan O’Neil lead the way with 8 points.  Riley Week had 6, Mason Danielson made the only 3 pt shot in the game for the Lakers, and Conner Erickson and Oliver VanderHagen ended with 2 points each.  We will continue to work hard defensively, and try to get our offense going again.

The Lakers made the long trip to Bird Island last Thursday night, getting back into the win column with a hard-fought 35-25 win.  The game was deadlocked at 14 apiece at the end of the first half, as Conner Erickson scored 9 of his team-high 16 points in the first half to set the pace for the Lakers. 

Offensively, the team was getting good shots, but couldn’t get them to fall consistently.  In the first half, Minnewaska hit just 6-of-20 shots.  However, in the second half, the Lakers’ pressure defense lead to scoring on the offensive end.  The team would shoot 10-of-19 (53 percent) from the floor in the second half to outscore the Warriors 21-11 to earn the 10-point victory.  Tristan O’Neil scored 8 of his 11 points in the second half, making all 4 of his shots after the break.   Besides Conner Erickson’s 16 and O’Neil’s 11 points, Drew Bleick added 6 points and Ben Johnson had the final 2 points.  

Despite only four players scoring, it was a team win as everyone got into the game and made contributions on defense, rebounding, or by making the extra pass to set up a teammate for a better shot.  It was great to see the faces of a spirited and joyful locker room after the win, which upped our record to 3-7.  We hope to carry this momentum into Monday’s game at BBE.  Go Lakers!