All ages share in another victory, Lakes
Lakes coach Pete Schneider has seen his seniors’ competitive side.
That would be his girls basketball team’s unofficially adopted senior citizens, who reside at Victory Lakes senior living community in Lindenhurst.
Since Schneider became the Eagles’ coach four years ago, he has made a habit of inviting the seniors to his team’s home games. The polite, well-behaved folks were in attendance Saturday, as Lakes defeated Round Lake 60-31 in North Suburban Prairie Division action.
Schneider’s girls always help decorate the senior facility for the holidays and have lunch with the residents.
“I called Bingo over there,” boasted Schneider, who today takes a group of 50 volunteers to Cicero to help run a Special Olympics tournament. “It’s hilarious. They’re more competitive in Bingo than I am in basketball.
“You can’t mess up, man,” he added with a laugh. “And I love them. They’re like friends.”
No way were the Eagles going to disappoint their ol’ fans — and younger ones — Saturday. Terese McMahon scored a game-high 15 points and grabbed 5 rebounds for Lakes, which improved to 11-10 overall and 6-2 in the NSC Prairie.
“They’re so nice to us,” McMahon, a senior, said of the seniors, who shook the hands of each Lakes player after the game. “I really like them. They’re like, ‘Good game. You guys played so well.’ They were so excited that they were there. They’re just real cute.”
Schneider played 11 girls and each scored. Nicole Mogged and Alexis Lee added 7 points each, while three Eagles — Maya Schmitt, Amanda Beetschen and Sam Ney — chipped in 6. Dayna Olson and Schmitt had 4 and 3 steals, respectively.
Lakes built a 13-4 lead after one quarter, hitting its first 3 shots, and was ahead 26-16 at halftime. The Eagles then outscored the Panthers 20-8 in the third, as McMahon poured in 3 buckets.
“They play hard,” Round Lake coach Howard Conkling said of his girls. “So we have no complaints.
“(Lakes) is fundamentally good at just about everything they do. Lakes really is a good ballclub.”
Junior guard Destiny Brown came off the bench to lead Round Lake (2-17, 0-7) in scoring with 9 points, including a 3-pointer. Morgin Evins and Bianca Mahoney had 6 points apiece.
Brown, who came out for the team late, is the cousin of former Panthers star Chanae Brown.
“She’s pretty quick,” Conkling said. “Hopefully we can keep her going for next year, because she can dribble by people.”
Lakes gets a rematch with its crosstown rival Tuesday night at Antioch. The Sequoits edged the Eagles 30-28 on Dec. 8.
“We’re ready,” McMahon said.