Lake Park makes change vs. Metea
Achieving a complete turnaround since the last time Lake Park's boys basketball team took the court, on Thursday the Lancers were a model of efficiency.
Beating visiting Metea Valley 62-45 in an Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division contest in Roselle, Lake Park worked the ball inside to 6-foot-3 Dominique Spencer and 6-4 Zack Cooper early, often and throughout.
Lake Park (11-7, 2-4) made 30 of 49 shots, an unstoppable 61 percent, to earn revenge for Metea Valley's Dec. 4 win over the Lancers — and relief from Saturday's 46-33 loss at South Elgin.
“All you ask is that your team responds,” Virostko said.
“Coach just wants us to come out and play hard,” said Spencer, who in a decisive second quarter had 12 points and 8 of his 12 rebounds. “And when we play hard we compete with anybody.”
Cooper and 6-1 guard Eric Eichholz, who scored 11 points, got into it right away, leading the Lancers to a quick 9-3 lead.
Metea Valley (11-9, 2-5) countered nicely. Ryan Solomon, Raysean Parker, LaShawn Cargo, Vin Patel and Jarrett House rallied the Mustangs to a 16-15 lead after a quarter.
The second quarter was a different matter, Lake Park outscoring the Mustangs 17-5. Cooper, Spencer and Eichholz scored inside whether converting 6 Metea turnovers, in half-court offense or on inbounds plays. Guard K.J. Wilson added a soft lefty touch that had Lake Park up 37-21 at halftime.
“I don't think we did a good enough job with help side on the defense,” said Solomon, among 10 Mustangs who scored in single digits. Cargo led Metea with 9 points. Kenny Obendorf scored 8 and Patel 7.
“When they got inside we should have doubled down more and tried to get the ball out,” Solomon said.
Lake Park, doing what Virostko asks, led 51-32 entering the fourth quarter.
“The things that have been the difference in games we've been successful versus not successful, first off, we guard,” said Virostko, whose club won despite only one 3-pointer, by Eichholz, and 1 free throw.
“Tonight we did a better job of switching screens and getting out on shooters. The second thing is we make the extra pass. When we make the extra pass our offense looks more efficient.”
Metea coach Bob Vozza credited his foe's ability to score in the paint, and he will move on.
“It was one of those nights,” he said.