LP boys hammer Knights 80-29
Published 9:26 pm Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Lyle-Pacelli's Skylar Meyer takes the ball along the baseline during the first half against Alden-Conger in their Section 1A-West Division match-up Tuesday night at Pacelli. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The No. 7 seeded Athletics didn’t waste much time putting away No. 10 Alden-Conger (0-23 overall) in a Section 1A West Division boys basketball play-in tournament game in Pacelli Tuesday.
Lyle-Pacelli's Damian Haugen pressures during the first half of the Athetlics' Section 1A-West Division match-up against Alden-Conger Tuesday night at Pacelli. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Athletics (12-14 overall) scored the first 10 points of the game as they cruised to an 80-29 win.
The Knights had just as many turnovers (29) as points in the contest.
“It’s what we needed to do,” LP head coach Casey Anderson said. “We came out and the kids were hungry right away and we jumped on it. It was nice to see us aggressive right away, because usually it takes about four or five minutes until we’re down by six points.”
Junior guard Damian Haugen gave LP a boost when he had all of his 15 points and five rebounds in the first half to push the Athletics to a 48-18 lead at the break.
“We came out a little sloppy, but we started working, running the offense and getting some steals,” Haugen said. “That was the game and we just put the nail in the coffin right there.”
The Athletics beat AC 64-30 Jan. 3, but Tuesday’s game was much more lopsided.
“I think our offense was so much crisper,” Anderson said. “We were setting good screens and we didn’t have much one on one. It was a total team effort and I’m proud of all the kids.”
Skylar Meyer had 19 points, 16 rebounds and five assists for LP and David Diang had 19 points, seven rebounds and five steals.
“Skylar and Max Brennan played well us for us down low and David did a good job of controlling the pace,” Anderson said.
The Athletics will play at No. 2 Goodhue (17-7 overall) Thursday at 7 p.m. The Wildcats beat LP 69-34 Jan. 16, but the Athletics hope the result is different this time around.
Lyle-Pacelli's Jordan Hart heads to the basket after stealing the ball from Alden-Conger's Tommy Greesman during the first half of their Section 1A-West Division tournament match-up Tuesday at Pacelli. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“If we play like tonight and box out, we have a chance of maybe beating them,” Haugen said.
AC 18 11 — 29
LP 48 32 — 80
LP scoring: Skylar Meyer, 19; David Diang, 19; Damian Haugen, 15; Jordan Hart, 8; Max Brennan, 5; Jonah Rohne, 4; Steven Juenger, 2; Sean Shaprio, 2; Brennan Ruis, 2; free throws: 78 percent (11-for-14); rebounds: 44 (Meyer, 16); turnovers: 15
AC scoring: Deion Skinner, 8; Tommy Geesman, 6; Brady Neel, 6; Matt Erickson, 4; Zach Behrens, 2; Elijah Hallman, 2; Dom Ofsdahl, 1; free throws: 57 percent (8-for-14); rebounds: 31; turnovers: 29
