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Solid team effort lifts Lake Park over Batavia

Defense staked Lake Park to a third-quarter lead over Batavia.

Shot-making allowed the Lancers to fend off a fourth-quarter run and win the DuKane Conference opener 58-48 in Roselle Friday.

The score was tied 26-26 at halftime, but Lake Park (5-0, 1-0) held the Bulldogs to 7 third-quarter points, partly by forcing 6 turnovers.

Batavia (3-2, 0-1) made only 3 of 8 third-quarter attempts and trailed 43-33 heading to the final period.

"That was really our statement," Lake Park senior Trevor Montiel said. "We let our defense be our offense and we got going at the right time."

The Lancers opened the second half with an 8-0 run, fueled by 5 points from Montrell Perry. He and Montiel each splashed a 3-pointer during that run.

Batavia opened the fourth-quarter on a 7-0 run. Senior Devin Cheaney scored on a putback, sophomore Kyle Neibch sank a 3-pointer and sophomore guard Trent Tousana drove to the basket for a layup that drew the Bulldogs within 43-40 with 4:21 to play.

Lake Park answered. Montiel drove the baseline and was cut off but fired a pass to senior Joey Czaja in the corner for a 3-pointer.

"When you start feeling the pressure, that's when we become our best," said Czaja, who led the Lancers with 16 points. "Trevor knows when two guys fly at him to kick it out. That's good trust between teammates and to knock that one down was huge."

Neibch responded with his sixth 3-pointer. He shot 6 of 10 from 3-point range and finished with a game-best 18 points.

"He looked like Steph Curry out there coming off screens, turning and shooting," Lake Park coach Billy Pitcher said.

Again, the Lancers had an answer. Perry penetrated and dished to Joe Harrington in the corner. The 6-foot-5 senior drained a 3-pointer to reestablish a 6-point lead.

Batavia came up empty on its next two possessions and the Lancers stretched the lead to 10 with free throws by Czaja and Montiel, who finished with 14 points and 7 rebounds.

"At this point in the season, they are very polished," Batavia coach Jim Nazos said. "We're working to get to that point and I really believe we will get to that point. One mistake, they'll capitalize on it. They don't turn the ball over and they get open shots."

Czaja, Harrington and Montiel took turns guarding Batavia leading scorer Jayden Johnson, who was limited to 11 points on 2 of 9 shooting.

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