The senior girls Laker basketball team was able to fend off a furious fourth quarter run to hold onto a crucial 46-36 win over the visiting Camrose Trojans on February 2.
The Lakers, who were fresh off a 30-point statement victory over Lacombe, were looking to continue to make ground in their division. The H.J. Cody squad built up a 25 point lead over the first three quarters, before the Trojans were able to cut it down to within just eight points and just under two minutes remaining.
Coach Matthew Kennedy credited the fourth quarter lapse with a late injury to Laker veteran player, Gianna Lal.
“We were up by a lot and then one of our girls got hurt. I think that freaked our girls out to see one of our girls go down,” he said. “We pulled through it and I like that – it shows we can work together as a group.”
Kennedy immediately called a time-out when their lead was cut in order to help steer the ship.
“I think the time-out was really good,” Laker Bailey Kentz said. “Coach Kennedy used it to help calm us down, let us know we know how to play and that we could compete with them. It let us know we could do what we had to do.”
The Lakers were led in scoring by Megan Steenbergen who finished with 12 points and Kassidy Klein - who chipped in 10 points of her own. Trojans Taylor Shultz would pour in 10 points to the losing effort.
The game solidifies the Lakers as contenders in their zone.
“This win is huge,” Coach Kennedy said. “It shows we are a legit contender in this league. We just beat Lacombe by 30 and now we come and beat Camrose. I think everyone will take a second look at H.J. Cody now.”
The goal for this team continues to be a provincials qualification, which means the Lakers will have to continue to stress team-play and high-percentage shots.
“I think we have a really strong press so we can create turnovers and score easy baskets,” Kentz said. “I think our shooting is a big thing.”
Kennedy reinforced the importance of working on their shooting.
“We’re going to keep working on our shooting, rebounding and passing the ball up the court. That needs to get crisper,” he said.
The Lakers now look ahead to three crucial road games against Wetaskwin, Rocky Mountain House and Hunting Hills High School.
reporter@sylvanlakenews.com