Lakers struggle at Vernon tourney Pen-Hi places 6th with just 1 victory

The Pen-Hi Lakers managed one win in four games to finish in sixth place at the Clarence Fulton senior boys’ basketball tournament in Vernon on the weekend.

Things start brightly enough for the purple and gold as the Lakers blitzed the Southern Okanagan Hornets from Oliver 66-37.

Stephen Searcy hit a trio of three-points among his eight points and added two steals, while Jordan Moore was player of the game with five points, five rebounds and one block.

“We had no problem handling the half-court zone played by Oliver for most of the game,” said Lakers assistant coach Eron Labadie. “We managed to move the ball well and worked together as a team to find holes in their zone for easy scoring opportunities.”

In the second game, the Lakers showed the effects of a long Christmas layoff, falling 66-61 to Westsyde (Kamloops).

Westsyde built a commanding early lead and the Lakers chipped away before coming up just short.

“We had a chance, but poor free throwing sealed our fate,” said the coach.

Owen Labadie had some key buckets down the stretch to keep Pen-Hi in it and finished 22 points, two steals and two rebounds. Ross Miller was player of the game with 20 points, eight rebounds and four steals.

The Lakers had another rough start against D.P. Todd from Prince George, ran into early foul trouble and never recovered in a 79-57 loss.

Miller was player of the game again with 18 points and seven rebounds. Spencer Toneatto came off the bench and tried to spark the team with seven points and several rebounds.

The Lakers limped home after getting blitzed early and late in a 75-43 loss to the Salmon Arm Golds.

Salmon Arm started the game with a 15-0 run, and after pulling within 49-41 early in the fourth quarter, the Lakers went ice-cold, couldn’t buy a bucket or get a stop defensively.

“For the first time this year, rough starts to our games seem to be an issue,” said Labadie. “Salmon Arm is a very well-coached team with a deep bench. They move the ball extremely well and remain patient within their system, waiting until they have great looks.”

The Lakers returned to league play Tuesday in Rutland and will then look to gain some revenge as they visit Salmon Arm in a league game Sunday afternoon.

The Pen-Hi senior girls also played Rutland last night and will travel to Kelowna to take on Okanagan Mission in a key league game tonight at 6 p.m.