Inexperienced Cougars Looking To Apply Lessons In Sectional
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Anthony Gadson-agadson@timesuniononline.com
WINONA LAKE — Despite a three-win season, first-year Lakeland Christian Academy boys basketball coach Joel Burrus has confidence heading into Sectional 52 at Hamilton High School. Closing out its regular season with back-to-back wins over Howe School (0-19) and the South Bend Career Academy (2-17), the LCA Cougars (3-18) open Sectional 52 with Tuesday’s 7 p.m. game against Lakewood Park (10-10). On Feb. 7, LCA and Lakewood Park met in Winona Lake, with the home team losing 66-42. Despite the loss, Burrus saw positives. “If we handled their press in the first 5-10 minutes of the game, it would have probably been a little different,” he said. “In the third quarter, we cut their lead to 11 or 12 points. We are confident that if we can handle that first knockout punch that they’re going to come out with, that we can be in the game with them.” The winner between LCA and Lakewood Park will advance to Friday’s 6 p.m. semifinals against Hamilton (5-14), while the bottom half of the bracket features Howe against Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian (13-9) Wednesday at 6 p.m., followed by Bethany Christian (3-17) and No. 4 Elkhart Christian Academy (16-4). “I looked at Elkhart Christian, Lakewood Park and Fort Wayne Blackhawk, and they’re all really good teams,” Burrus said. “You can kind of pick your poison with all three. They’re very good pressing teams. Very quick and very strong. They keep you out of the lane and are strong rebounding teams.” Of the three, Lakewood Park is LCA’s first concern. If the Cougars can handle Lakewood Park’s press, their next objective will be to hit shots, as LCA’s averaging just 35 points per game this year. “It’s going to be a matter of whether or not we can begin to knock down shots,” Burrus said. “That’s kind of a big thing for us right now. Against Howe (Feb.25), we won 48-32, but still didn’t shoot that well (making 12 of 57 field goals). We’re still waiting on that breakout game. “When teams press you, you have to make them pay,” he added. “A lot of times, when you beat the press, you have numbers in the halfcourt. We have to start converting when we get to the bucket after beating the press and making kick out 3s to guys like (sophomores) Jon Harmon and Connor Blum.” On the year, Blum’s averaging 7.1 points per game and Harmon is at 4.7. Also for LCA, sophomore Carter Twombly has been averaging 5.6 and senior Cody Kline is at 5.1, but its been senior Chris Silveus leading the way with 12.0. “He’s had a really bad back this year, which we’ve really had to monitor," Burrus said of Silveus. “Then, he’s been dealing with sickness the past two weeks. If we didn’t have him, it’d be tough for us to get double-digit scoring.” Featuring 10 roster players, down from the opening-day 12, LCA has had to ditch its junior varsity season, thrusting every available player into the varsity spotlight. “A lot of our guys wouldn’t even be on a varsity roster at a lot schools, but with our numbers, they’ve kind of been thrown into the fire,” Burrus said. “They’re getting better and improving. “We’re looking for improvement as much as anything, and for the most part, we’ve gotten that,” he added. “That’s all I can ask for.” And just like every other coach in the state, underdog or favorite, Burrus has a simple philosophy for the postseason. “The great thing about Indiana high school basketball is that anything can happen in the tournament,” he said.
