A close 88-82 loss at the hands of College Heights gave the Pen High Lakers senior boys basketball team a 2-2 record during a tournament in Vernon.
The Lakers opened the four-game marathon with a 77-50 loss to the host Fulton Maroons. Joel Moorman led with 20 points while Ethan McCluskey scored 10. In the next two games, the Lakers defeated LV Rogers from Nelson 66-60 and Duchess Park from Prince George 77-70. Mitch Jacobsen led the Lakers with 30 and 32 points respectively.
Lakers coach Dustin Hyde competed with a shortended roster due to school work and tests but he was still happy with his players’ efforts.
“It was a tourney where we really came together as a team and shared playing time the best we could,” said Hyde, whose team placed fifth of eight teams.
Two players Hyde was impressed with were Derek Hohmann and Dylan Ames. Both are in Grade 11 and have struggled to get playing time only because of the depth on the Lakers.
“Hohmann rebounds well and had a good game,” said Hyde. “Ames, we call him the Tasmanian Devil. He’s good defensively and dives for balls. Has a great shot from the outside.”
The only dark cloud that hovered the Lakers were three players who were disciplined during the tournament.
“I don’t want to comment,” said Hyde. “We dealt with it internally. It had nothing to do with school or academics. Guys had mental breakdowns and not co-operating.”