In Jan. 15 Issue
By Derek Aaron
Times Journal Sports Editor

With three Lakers in double figures and five other Lakers scoring, Coach Willie Feldhaus’ team improved to 14-1 on the season as they defeated district rival Cumberland County last Friday night.

The Lakers won by a score of 75-67, despite a 26-point effort from Panther Tyler Riley.

“I thought we did some things well Friday night,” Feldhaus said. He said he was pleased with his team’s 62 percent shooting percentage from the field.

Feldhaus said he was also pleased with the Laker guard play as the basketball was only turned over 13 times to Cumberland’s 19.

“Anytime you can do that it gives you a chance to win,” he said.

Feldhaus was all pleased with his team’s play as he noted how they needed to get their energy level up on defense.

“We have to get back to where we were earlier in the season,” he said. Riley’s 26 point and six 3-pointers were tough to match up against.

“We really had no answer for him,” he said. “He is quick with the ball and shoots six to eight feet behind the 3-point line and he shoots 42 percent from out there.”

Feldhaus did say he was pleased with the play of Senior guard Bryon Ellis who had 19 points on 8-14 shooting.

“He has to create matchup problems for our opponents,” he said.

With the Lakers getting point production from eight players, Feldhaus said he would like to see even more than that get some scoring numbers.

“I’ve been talking to some of the players that hadn’t played much to tell them how they could earn more playing time,” he said. “They have to defend, stay confident and not turn the ball over.”

Feldhaus also lauded the play of Junior big man Zach Carney who had eight points and 10 rebounds.

“He is our leading rebounder,” Feldhaus said. “He is capable of putting up big numbers and that is no surprise to us.”

The Laker coach said after the graduation of Tim Coffey last season, his team needed Carney to step up this season and he has in a big way.

Junior Bryson McFall had 15 points while Lucas Justice had 11 points in the game. Adam Justice scored eight for the Lakers and Robbie Bell had seven points.

Kyle Burchett had four points and Tyler Robertson had three points in the win.

The Lakers scored 36 points in the paint and scored 20 points of off Panther turnovers in the district victory.