Celine Francisco and Lyndzie Caron paced the Pen High Lakers to their second win with 17-point performances.
The pair helped the Lakers defeat the Rutland Voodoos 57-30 Monday in Rutland. Lakers co-coach Lesley Lacroix said the Voodoos couldn’t handle the multiple presses they threw at them throughout the game.
“It was a sweet victory as we had previously beat them, but only by a single point, two weeks ago,” said Lacroix.
Francisco added five steals and three assists, while Caron grabbed nine boards and five steals. Chloe Brydon chipped in 12 points and continued to be ferocious on the boards, hauling down 16 rebounds.
Over the weekend, the Lakers went to Abbotsford and Victoria picking up three wins in five games.
Their schedule began facing the Abbotsford Secondary Panthers and losing 83-55. It was the first time the Lakers faced a squad that could shoot consistently across the broad scope of their guards. Nearly half of the Panthers’ points (39) were drained from three-point range. Lacroix said it was a great opportunity to reinforce the importance of solid defence, closing out and getting a hand in the shooter’s face. The Lakers top scorers were Caron with 19 points and 15 rebounds for her first double-double. Brydon had 11 points and 13 boards. Francisco was solid at the point guard spot with seven points and three steals.
In Victoria for an annual Christmas tournament, the Lakers opened up against Courtenay’s GP Vanier and lost 56-51. Caron and Brydon both earned double-doubles with Caron collecting 14 points and 11 rebounds; Brydon chipped in 13 points and grabbed 17 boards. Grade 10 Emma Schneider put up 12 points with eight boards.
Against Nanaimo, the Lakers cruised to an 85-38 victory. Grade 12 Anika Holowaty led the charge with 15 points, while Hannah Clarke stepped up to deliver 13 points and 10 assists, while also grabbing six boards to go with five assists.
“It was great to get this type of all-around performance from Hannah,” said Lacroix, adding that Clarke’s sister Emily was on hand to watch; she plays for the Vancouver Island University Islanders.
Brydon performed well offensively again, scoring 11 points, while Grade 10 Mattie Philip added 11 points. Described as a pure shooter, Lacroix and Hyde are excited to see her develop into a significant and consistent scoring threat this season. Grade 12 Sydney Clarke had a fantastic performance, Lacroix said, with nine points and seven rebounds, adding “an element of aggressive play that our team needs.”
The Lakers handed Edmonton’s M.E. Lazerte and 69-11 loss. Caron drained 22 points while collecting eight rebounds and five steals. Brydon added 16 points to go with six boards. In their fifth and final game, for fifth place, the Lakers took on Nanaimo’s Wellington Secondary and winning 72-48. Jean Grakul was key in the win containing Nanaimo’s top player and creating turnovers for eight steals.
On Dec. 23 the Lakers are hosting their annual alumni game at 4 p.m. Among the featured grads will be Clarke, Natasha Reimer, Tessa Lannon-Paakspuu, Haylee Robertson and Hayden Craig suiting up.
Those five are currently competing at the post-secondary level.