The Laker basketball team (2-0) picked up their second win of the season last Thursday night as they downed visiting Casey County, 70-59, at Laker Gym. It was another spectacular offense night from sophomore Laker Tyler Robertson, who scored a team-high 32 points and hit 16 of 17 free throws in the victory to go along with his eight rebounds.

"That's two really good games for him," said Laker coach Willie Feldhaus of Robertson's play. He scored 25 in the season-opening win over Lincoln County early last week.

"We'll have some other kids hopefully step it up as the season goes along," Feldhaus said. Both senior Martin Cross and junior Blake Aaron tallied 11 points each for the Lakers Thursday night.

Russell County shot 42 percent from the field as a team while holding the Rebels to just 33 percent from the floor.

"The biggest thing, I thought our defense in the first half was a lot better tonight," he said. "But in the fourth quarter we give up 30 points … we've got to be able to do a better job when we get a lead to be able to slow them down."

He said late in the game, several Rebels were able to beat their man on the drive to the basket or get off quick shots, which makes for a long quarter when you're the team with the lead.

Despite playing catch-up the whole game, Feldhaus lauded Casey County's intensity and aggressiveness throughout the ballgame.

"They play as hard as any group of kids in the six years I've been here," he said. "After the game you're going to feel like you've been in a fight with those guys because they are physical."

The Rebels were led in scoring by Brad Jeffries with 24 points while Tyler Johnson netted 15 and Luke Carman added 12 points and 15 rebounds.

For Russell County, eighth grader Nick Coffey again came off the bench to play 18 productive minutes, scoring eight points while grabbing a team-high 11 rebounds. Both sophomores Barton Mann and Dustin Pierce scored four points each in the game and Mann grabbed five rebounds. Senior Logan Smith and sophomore Lucas Whittle also played for Russell County but did not score.

"I am pleased," Feldhaus said. "First off, we're here to get wins. I tell our kids there is not a lot of fun in athletics if you can't get some wins somewhere along the way."