Lakers keep focus, finish off Streaks

Lakers keep focus, finish off Streaks

BY MATTHEW HORN • SPORTS WRITER • DECEMBER 29, 2010

LAKESIDE -- Danbury had a difficult time putting St. Joseph Central Catholic away Tuesday.

And the experience makes a 59-53 non-conference victory a big one. The Lakers consistently responded to runs from the Crimson Streaks and never trailed.

"We don't quit," Danbury point guard Lucas Kennedy said. "Coach yells at us when we put our heads down. We keep coming after it. They kept coming back but Coach (Jarret) Ensign said we showed we can overcome adversity."

The Lakers (3-4) led 31-19 as Kennedy connected with a leaning, drifting jumper moving across the lane to start the second half. SJCC, however, tied the game at 33-33 on a three-pointer from Jordan Sessler.

Sessler scored a game-high 15 points but 13 came before Branden Burke started guarding Sessler after the tie.

"That was probably the difference in the game," Danbury coach Drew Davie said. "He didn't allow (Sessler) to get to the basket or hit shots."

Danbury answered by outscoring the Crimson Streaks 10-2 to close the third quarter. Hunter Stephens, who had 11 rebounds in the game, scored six of his 14 points during the stretch.

"Hunter is always the focal point of the offense," Davie said. "We want things to run through him. He gives us our best opportunity to score in the low post and he's a good passer. We've done a good job not shooting quick shots before we get post touches."

The majority of Danbury's 16 points in the second quarter came in the paint, including a Dakota Hruby basket off an assist from Stephens.

"Our strength isn't our outside shooting so getting it inside is key," Kennedy said. "When Hunter and Dakota are both in the game they do a great job inside. Hunter is a good passer -- he has great vision to find the open man. When the guards cut, Hunter sees them.

"All-around, it's good chemistry. That helps out -- we understand each other."

SJCC (3-3) trailed 45-41 early in the fourth quarter before the Lakers extended the margin to 51-42 after Kennedy dropped in a layup high off the glass.

The Crimson Streaks made it 53-51 with 48.9 seconds remaining but Danbury scored the next six points from the free throw line.

"We were able to finish," Davie said. "(SJCC) kept fighting."

Davie said Tuesday's first half was his team's best of the season. The Lakers led 29-19 after two quarters.

"If we come out focused and ready to play, we can compete with -- if not beat -- anybody on our schedule," Davie said. "We played with a sense of urgency."

Caleb Helline had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers.

"He's been awesome," Kennedy said of the Port Clinton transfer. "During practice, he doesn't miss. He's one of the best shooters on the team. He can get to the basket and play defense.

"We've accepted Caleb. We clicked right away. He's a smart basketball player."

Kennedy finished with 12 points and five rebounds Tuesday. Kennedy is a versatile scorer and is adjusting nicely to his new role as point guard this season.

"I'd like to be like a coach on the court and the glue keeping everybody together," Kennedy said. "I try to pull the team back together."

Regrouping certainly wasn't a problem Tuesday.