Tolzmann’s 25 Carries Lake City To Win

Guard Laura Tolzmann is accustomed to being a role player for the Lake City girls basketball team.

And the 5-foot-7 senior made the most of her playing time on Saturday afternoon, spelling the Timberwolves’ backcourt.

In fact, Tolzmann sizzled, scoring a game- and career-high 25 points to spark top-ranked Lake City past Eagle of Meridian, 68-53, in a non-league game at the Timberwolves Gymnasium.

Tolzmann connected on 10 of 16 field goals, including 3 for 3 on 3-point attempts.

“That felt good - it really felt good,” said Tolzmann with a broad smile. “It boosted my confidence.

“I wanted to get in there and play hard,” Tolzmann added. “It seemed like we were dead, and we needed somebody to pick it up.”

Eagle (1-1) fell into immediate foul trouble, committing eight fouls in the opening 4 minutes.

Back-to-back fouls on Lake City guard Kristi Jacobson within 5 seconds of one another entered Tolzmann into the game with 3:52 left in the first quarter.

And Tolzmann set the Timberwolves up 11-9 following a baseline 3-pointer at 57 seconds.

Lake City stretched a 14-13 lead to start the second quarter into a 10-point spread 35 seconds before halftime.

The Timberwolves led 30-22 at the break, despite shooting 4 of 16 at the free-throw line.

A pair of 3-pointers by Mustangs guard Sarah Gerosin, plus a turnaround jumper by guard Barbie Ramsey drew the Mustangs even at 32-all midway into the third quarter.

But Lake City outscored Eagle 18-6 in the next 4 minutes. Sophomore forward Lindsey Herbert, who missed her first seven shots, converted a rebound, then stole the ball for a layup in the closing 19 seconds to make it a 50-38 game.

The Mustangs managed to get within 52-45 with 6:32 remaining, but Tolzmann answered with a 3-pointer off the baseline.

And Lake City led by 18 points with just more than 1 minute left.

“This is a pleasant surprise; Laura last season was a part-time player,” Lake City coach Dave Stockwell said. “(Friday) night, she came in and got some points. Tonight, she kept us in the ballgame. She’s a terrific shooter. We’ve known that for years; it’s a matter of when she finds out.”

Lake City outrebounded the visitors 47-37, led by sophomore Heather Stetson with 13 rebounds.

Guard Tabitha Dawson and Ramsey topped Eagle scoring with 14 and 10 points, respectively.

“(Lake City) is a real quick team” Mustangs coach Bob Brunzell said. “We just kinda got outhustled. Certain turnovers were forced errors. They’re a good quick, half-court trapping team.

“They’re weren’t any excuses, they’re a good team, and I think we’re going to be a good team,” Brunzell added. “We’re only going to get better.”

Lake City (2-0) returns to its home court on Tuesday night for a non-league game with Moscow.

Lake City 68, Eagle 53

Eagle 13 9 16 15 - 53

Lake City 14 16 20 18 - 68

Eagle-Ramsey 10, Dawson 14, Gerosin 9, Vail 4, Potts 2, Jarvis 5, Rogers 2, Peterson 7.

Lake City - Jacobson 6, Hatrock 7, Tolzmann 25, Telford 2, Stetson 7, M. Asher 4, Teston 2, Herbert 8, A. Asher 5, Dodger 2.