Defense Carries Lakeside To Tournament Victory

The offense isn’t where it needs to be, but defense has been enough for Lakeside’s girls basketball team.

Last week the Eagles improved their record to 7-0 and won the East Valley Holiday Classic for the second straight year.

Score in the title game was a mere 37-35, the team rallying from four points behind to make eight points in a row.

Freshman Nikki Petticrew scored the winner with 24 seconds left, and Brianne Jolley scored all three of her baskets in the fourth quarter.

Before that she had missed seven shots in a row.

“When she’s right she can be the best post in the A classification,” said Coach Lisa Schultz. “She’s very intense, and sometimes it overwhelms her.”

Jolley and sophomore Linsey Heebink, who carried the cold-shooting Eagles for much of the game, were named to the all-tournament team.

Older sister Lora Jolley was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

“We’re struggling in our half-court offense right now, and the shooters don’t have confidence,” Schultz said of her team, which had opened the tournament by beating Colville 46-39. “The defense is where it needs to be.”

The team is idle until Wednesday with a non-league game against Post Falls. Jan. 12 is the team’s showdown at Colfax.

Mead hosts wrestling event

Mead’s Tournament of Champions wrestling competition is Saturday.

The daylong event will feature eight teams from throughout the state and last year was won by the Panthers over Rogers. Among the entered teams are Wenatchee, Shadle Park, Cheney, Eisenhower, Kent-Meridian and Richland.

GSL basketball resumes Wednesday

Following a nearly two-week layoff, North Side GSL basketball teams return to action next Wednesday.

Among the featured games will be unbeaten rivals Mead and Shadle Park girls at Shadle at 6:15 p.m.

The Highlanders have won their initial four games, most recently over Lewis and Clark behind the 25-point scoring of sophomore Emily Christensen and strong free-throw shooting.

Mead is 3-0 after beating North Central. In the boys game that follows, the 2-1 Panthers play the 2-2 Highlanders.

Mead has won two straight league games since narrowly losing its opener to league-leading Ferris.

Last week the victim was North Central, the team with six 3-point baskets and Damian Long scoring 21 points.

, DataTimes