Winning two of three games on the road helped the Pen High Lakers senior girls basketball team maintain a top-three spot in the South Okanagan standings.
The Lakers' weekend began with a 60-52 loss Friday to the South Kamloops Titans. They played without Haylee Robertson for three quarters after she tweaked her ankle at the start.
Anika Holowaty had a breakout performance as the rookie drained 12 points and grabbed six rebounds. Carleigh Dean also stepped up, chipping in 11 points and adding five rebounds, while Tessa Lannon-Paakspuu scored 11 points. The Titans possessed better outside shooters compared to the Lakers, who felt the impact of not having Robertson.
“We ran the floor well, effectively pressed, but our outside shooting just doesn’t compare to theirs yet, and then without Haylee’s presence inside it was difficult to counter,” said Lakers coach Lesley Lacroix.
Against the NorKam Saints Saturday morning, the Lakers pulled off a 52-50 win with Robertson back in the lineup. The Saints led the entire game until the final five minutes. Dean nailed a crucial three-pointer, then the Lakers tied it with two minutes left before hitting the winning basket. Natasha Reimer led the Lakers with 21 points and grabbed 11 boards, while Robertson rang up 15 points with 11 boards.
Saturday afternoon wrapped up with a tilt against the Salmon Arm Jewels. Robertson piled up 28 points with nine rebounds, while Lannon-Paakspuu chipped in 10 points and Reimer nine, while being a monster on the boards, collecting 18 as the Lakers won 66-44.
Lacroix was impressed with Holowaty as she has struggled with the pace of the senior game.
“Her shooting is probably the most accurate on our team and she contributed important points at important times in each game,” said Lacroix, who liked how Dean took care of the ball and stepped up her defensive game.
The Lakers are 5-2 on the season.