ORILLIA LAKERS
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Despite moving up to the Ontario Basketball League “A” Division, the Orillia Legion Br. 34 U16 Lakers didn’t miss a beat, winning two more games, while extending their unbeaten season to 17 games.
In their first game, after being moved into “A” Division, the Lakers were up against the first-place and undefeated Golbourn Hornets. The Branch 34 girls came out strong building an early lead, which they held throughout the game.
Orillia was leading by 16 points at one time, but the Golbourn team was persistent and were able to get within eight points. The Orillia team, after calming down, built their lead back to 12 points, and then cruised to a 44-34 victory.
Leading the Lakers in scoring for the game was Zoe Peeters with 10, Hennessy Langner nine, Lilja Toland nine, Ashley Schryer and Emma Thomson with five. Isabela Fleguel, taking two charge’s, and Mya Erskine led the way defensively.
In a physical second game, the Lakers were up against Mississauga Jayhawks, whom also moved up with Orillia to “A” league action. The Jayhawks were determined to avenge their earlier season one-point loss to the Lakers.
In the chippy back and forth game, the score was 7-5 Orillia in the first quarter, tied 19-19 at the half and tied 36-36 after the third quarter. Orillia then pulled ahead in the last quarter by eight and held on for a 51-45 win.
Scoring for Orillia were Lilja Toland 18, Lauryn Buchan 10, Taylor Betchold-Coon 6, Ashley Schryer 5, Mya Erskine 4, Emma Thomson 4, Zoe Peeters 2 and Hennessy Langner 2. Madison McLaughlin and Lauren Murphy contributed with good defensive play.
The U16 Legion Br. 34 girls next action will be in the Markham April 6-7 tournament.
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