Richmond’s Drive Summer Classic came full circle for the Lake City Club Basketball under-15 boys team on June 19.
Lake City opened the tournament with a 43-29 loss to the MacHoops and they met again for the bronze medal, this time Lake City won, 36-34. Lake City coach Eron Labadie said his team was eager for a second shot at MacHoops.
“This had to be my proudest moment as a Lake City Basketball coach,” said Labadie. “These boys came out to the game carrying an intensity that I had not seen up to this point. It showed on the court as we raced out to an early lead.”
There was momentum shifts throughout and Lake City dealt with foul trouble against a physical team. They didn’t waiver sticking to their game plan and continued to work through some challenging moments.
Owen Labadie led Lake City with 12 points and added two steals and one rebound. Eron described Tyson Douangpanya’s play as a man on a mission with four points, two rebounds and three steals. Baily Burdick was a force on the boards pulling down 14 while adding 11 points.
“I was very proud of the fight and effort the boys brought in the final two games of the tournament and told them this is what we build on,” said Labadie, whose team defeated the Drive 51-17 in their first playoff game.
Against the Drive, Lake City forced eight turnovers and didn’t allow an offensive rebound.
In Lake City’s second game, against Excel, they lost 32-19.
Jacob Stewart and Shane Borren were two of the bright spots to create offence as Stewart finished with five points and collected seven rebounds, while Borren brought energy from the bench and chipped in four points, three rebounds and two steals.