The bleachers of H.J. Cody High School were packed full with friends, family and supporters. The cheering never stopped as the players on the Laker’s bench jumped for joy every time the ball made it through the hoop.
Every time the Laker’s senior boys sent the ball through the hoop victorious energy filled the air.
Following a long back and forth game with only a few minutes left on the clock it came down to the Lakers needing to make the last few hoops to win the game.
With a few lucky shots the Lakers beat the Lindsay Thurber Raiders 69-63.
The win caused a mass eruption and the home team crowd screamed and jumped for joy.
It was an intense game for both teams. The Lakers and the Raiders fought very hard all throughout the game. The Lakers fans held their breath and were relieved every time the ball entered the hoop. The Raiders fans cheered when their defence blocked the ball.
The game was intense with the score close throughout the game.
Lakers head coach Kelly Steadman said it was a great game and commented on how both teams fought hard.
“The Raiders had the edge for a while but my guys just stuck with it and stuck to the game plan. We defended very well,” said Steadman.
The Lakers won the last game they had played against the Raiders. Another win was not guaranteed for them and the Lakers had to work for every inch of their success.
“We got up early when we needed too and pulled off some big buckets down the stretch,” Steadman said.
The Laker’s strengths are in their teamwork, ball movement and working together as a unit. Steadman said they will now work on taking care of the ball and eliminating turnovers as they enter zone playoffs.
Steadman said he is proud of the boys. The Lakers played many games this season and Steadman said it has been a long road.
“We’ve won a few tournaments and taken some tough losses in the last couple weeks,” Steadman said. “It was nice to see them re-group, gain some composure down the stretch and do what they needed to do to win the game.”
The Lakers senior girl’s basketball team also played against the Raiders girl’s team the same night losing 27-95.
The girls worked hard during the game and showed they could pass the ball well alongside excellent team support.
They are in tenth place in the league with the Raiders being placed first. The girls knew the game would be a tough one.
Head coach for the girl’s team, Dave Elwood said he is super proud of the girls and how they worked hard.
“That’s probably the best defence we’ve played and against a really tough team,” he said. “They did really well.”
“We knew it would be tough but they came and gave it their 100 percent and that’s all you can ask,” he added.
The girls will now enter playoffs.
reporter@sylvanlakenews.com