With packed stands, loud student sections and big wins, basketball has been shooting nothing but net. The boys team has a current record of 10-11, while the girls team is picking up the pace with a record of 13-7.
With the season coming to a close, the teams have faced big challenges–and victories–during the season.
After a visit to Las Vegas for a tournament during winter break, the LHS boys team had come up victorious against the former No. 6 team in the nation, Chino Hills High School, a huge upset and a win that eventually led to the Pacers finding their rhythm when returning home.
“I love the speed of play and having four other guys to play along with competing with each other and growing with each other,” said boys forward Daniel Lewis.
While the team is considered to be a little undersized, they have made up for that with high speed and pace, a system trying to tire out players on the opposing team. Combined with a gritty style of play on defense, it has allowed them to get key non league wins on the road, including a 78-51 win against Aloha High School and a 75-68 win at Roosevelt High School.
The Pacer boys have been notching off some key league games, including a dominant 74-56 win against West Linn, as well as a commanding 84-70 win against Tigard.
The LHS boys hope to finish out the season strong and try to clinch themselves a spot into the state playoffs, with the final home game against Lake Oswego on Feb. 24.
Girls basketball has also been just as dominant, starting the season off with a 4-0 record, and settling at 4th place in league play.
The team is led by a plethora of young talents, including Freshman Guard Kaylee Bjorkgren averaging 13.7 points per game and 6.1 rebounds per game, and Sophomore Kate Peterson averaging 6.3 rebounds per game.
Yet no one has had more of an impact than senior guard, Charlotte Conyers. The senior has made a huge leap from last year, averaging 21.8 points per game, and is ranked among the top Guards in Oregon Girls basketball right now according to oregonlive.com.
“This year we have truly learned to work together as a team” Said Conyers. “Everyone plays their part, and we know what each other’s strengths are. I feel like our confidence has gone up, and we realized we can not only compete, but also have success together.”
The Pacer girls continue to fight together to maintain this momentum of a true turn around season into the playoffs, with their final home game one February 24th against LO.
