The Goodis Press delivered good results for the Pen High Lakers senior girls basketball team on the weekend.
Named in honour of former Lakers coach Jeff Goodis, who designed the system when he coached, the press helped the Lakers win two of three matches during the eight-team Winter Classic they hosted Jan. 27-28. The Lakers finished with a 61-22 win over the Richmond Colts, after opening with a 70-25 win over the Chilliwack Storm and a 73-52 loss to the Vernon Secondary Panthers.
Lakers coach Dustin Hyde said he was pleased with the results.
In shifting to the Goodis Press, the Lakers were able to cause problems for the Storm with multiple steals and setting up layups. It is a 1-1-2-1 format and Hyde said it does not give up layups because they have a person at the back at all times.
“We had him come to a practice a few weeks ago to show us how it worked,” said Hyde. “We have been working on it ever since and it fits our team really well.”
Like their opening game, the Lakers gave the Colts trouble with their new press which helped them build an early 9-1 lead in the first few minutes. At half time, the Lakers led 26-9 due to steals the system generated. Lyndzie Caron had 14 points and 15 boards and Emma Schneider was named defensive player of the game with 12 points and seven boards. Mattie Philip chipped in 11 points to go with seven steals and Haley Berrisford collected eight boards.
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The Lakers added the new strategy because Hyde said they constantly need to change their defence.
“It is helpful to have a variety of different options,” said Hyde. “Goodis mentioned he had a press that was very unique and thus, difficult to react to.”
Hyde added most teams run the same standard presses (2-2-1, 1-2-2, 1-3-1, diamond and 1). With these presses come counters that are well known. Hyde said while they didn’t beat the Panthers, they caused several turnovers in the three to four minutes they ran it.
“Eventually teams adjust, but it’s nice as mentioned, to have various defences to throw the team off,” he said.
Laker Celine Francisco said they wanted to continue their focus on defensive play.
“Most of our games we have been doing a lot better with defence,” she said. “Finish with a strong defensive game.”
Following the loss to Panthers, Francisco said playing the Panthers, a 2A team, is always a hard game. Francisco, who scored 14 points, including 12 from three-point range, said the Lakers received a jolt of energy from the bench and they demonstrated good ball movement. Even though the score didn’t show it, the Lakers played really well, she said.