For the Lakewood boys’ basketball team on Friday, when one thing wasn’t working they found another way to succeed.
“Just shots not falling,” Lancers coach Duane Cooper said.
Lakewood juniors Macarthy Morris (17 points), Chris Willis (15), and Mason Pacheco (9) attacked and attacked the basket, converting layup after layup in the team’s 64-43 win over Pasadena Poly in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 2-AA playoffs.
Morris was most impressive, highlighted by nine points in the fourth including converting an And-1 opportunity after making a layup while getting fouled.
It took a little bit for the Lancers to wake up as the game was tied at five a few minutes into the game before Lakewood (21-5) ended the first quarter on a 14-2 run as they were able to move the ball and get easy baskets in the paint.
“First game jitters maybe,” Cooper said when asked about the slow start.
In the second, the Panthers (14-7) went on a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to five but Lakewood ended the half strong with a 8-0 run to go up 13 at half. They were able to coast in the second half.
Still, Cooper said the team needs to play better if it wants to have a deep run in the playoffs as Lakewood will travel to Pacifica Christian on Tuesday. Pacifica Christian beat La Serna, 71-34.
“We weren’t good defensively and not crisp on either side,” Cooper said.
The Lancers showed on Friday they can win multiple ways and will be a tough challenge for the Tritons.
