Pen High’s senior basketball teams earned a split against the Mt. Boucherie Bears at home on Tuesday in 3A Okanagan Valley League action.
The senior girls began their season with a disappointing 57-46 loss. Lyndzie Caron led the team with 21 points.
Lakers coach Dustin Hyde said the match was tight until the final two minutes.
“We struggled immensely to score, hitting only two shots from outside the paint,” said Hyde. “It was one of those nights where the rim just seemed to have a lid on it. Not only did we miss virtually every shot from deep, we failed make the majority of our layups and paint shots, and only shot 52 per cent from the line.”
Hyde also watched his team commit more than 30 turnovers, which he said is unacceptable.
“Absolutely awful performance and the worst display of shooting that I have seen from this team,” he said. “The bright side is, we kept it tight the entire night despite playing very poorly. We are much better than we played and we will be looking forward to improving in our next game which is scheduled for Thursday night against Salmon Arm in Salmon Arm.
This weekend they will be in Vernon for a tournament.
READ MORE: Lakers senior basketball teams to be competitive
Stokker nets 20 in victory
Jake Stokker scored 20 points in a 85-70 win over the Bears. Also contributing to the Lakers victory were Jayden Doell with 17 points, Riley Dunsmore with 14 (all in the second half). Connor Oh and Monty Tebbutt both had 10 points each.
“I was really pleased with our unselfishness, which is why we had five players in double figures,” said Lakers coach Colin Cook. “It was a great team win and everyone worked hard. Our decision making is getting better and our Grade 11s really stepped up.”
Cook added there is still improvement needed in their defensive rotations and end of quarter clock management. There is one area in particular Cook wants to see change.
“We are also too nice, we need more nasty,” he said.
This weekend the team will play a tournament in Langley.