By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
After Thursday's 64-19 drubbing by Niles, Lakeshore girls' basketball coach Jim Maier put it best.
Niles' quickness set up its taller forwards to score almost at will against the Lancers. The Vikings' speed on defense forced Lakeshore into 32 turnovers on the night, leading to numerous fast breaks and points.
The Lancers turned the ball over 12 times in the first quarter alone. Their first two possessions set the tone for the night, as they had a 10-second violation and a bad pass, leading to Niles' first four points.
Niles hit 7-of-15 shots in the first quarter. Lakeshore didn't make its first field goal until 2:28 remaining in the period. At the end of one, the Vikings were in control 20-6.
While Niles' offense scored easily against Lakeshore, it was the Vikings' defense that stole the show. The Vikings limited the Lancers to 25 percent shooting from the field on 8-of-32 shooting.
Arnold said Niles' effort Tuesday was close to its best defensive performance all season.
Offensively for the Vikings, it was the duo of Sarah Dreher and Brandie Radde leading the way. Dreher scored 10 points in the first quarter on her way to a game-high 18.
Radde started her second game in a row since coming back from an ankle injury. She scored 13 in the first half and 16 in the game.
After being sidelined for three weeks with an ankle injury, Arnold was worried about Radde's rhythm when she came back. He said she is getting close to her original form, hitting 7-of-11 shots Thursday, including four in a row at one point.
Dreher was able to get inside and draw fouls against the smaller Lancers. She went to the line 12 times Thursday, hitting on eight of those attempts. Tuesday at Benton Harbor, she shot 15 fouls shots.
Niles shot close to 50 percent from the field, hitting on 25-of-51 shots. Arnold welcomed the hot shooting after they shot 34 percent a week ago against Dowagiac.
Thursday's game was a possible preview of a second round district matchup. Lakeshore has a bye in the first round, and if Niles gets past Berrien Springs, the two schools will go at it again Nov. 17.
Maier said he'll have to look at the film of the game to see what his team needs to do differently to make the score closer next time. Whatever they do, he said, it will have to be something drastic.
Niles' freshmen team also enjoyed an easy victory Thursday against Lakeshore. The Vikings took a 35-15 halftime lead before winning 50-20.
Maddy Peterek and Kaylynn Stephenson led Niles with nine points each, followed by Jennifer Johnson, who scored seven.
In the game, Dakota Price had a driving reverse layup on an assist from Eliza Coquillard that coach Linda Dyszkiewicz called incredible.
The Vikings' junior varsity squad didn't fare as well as the freshmen and varsity teams, losing 42-35 to the Lancers.
Three players scored all of Niles points in the loss. Courtney Teske had a team-high 15 points. Lauryn Gibson and Kelsey Neilson scored 10 apiece.
JV coach George Brawley said his team played much better than last time they faced Lakeshore. In that first matchup, the Vikings lost by 25 points.
The freshmen and junior varsity teams are each 12-6 on the season.
Niles……………..64
Lakeshore……..19
Lakeshore (19) - Dana Malone 2 0-0 4, Mallory Kuehl 1 1-2 3, Julie Davis 0 0-0 0, Emily Klunder 0 0-0 0, Amanda Harrington 0 0-0 0, Sarah Woodrick 0 0-0 0, Jordan Nelson 0 0-0 0, Monica Gathright 1 1-2 3, Katie Pappa 0 0-0 0, Katie Evans 2 0-0 4, Lauren Castonguay 1 0-0 3, Molly Lange. Totals: 8 2-4 19.
Niles (64) - Ashley Pingel 0 1-2 1, Amber Peters 3 0-0 6, Meghan Scameheorn 1 0-0 2, Brandie Radde 7 0-0 13, Sarah Dreher 5 8-12 18, Stephanee Schrader 0 1-2 1, Jessica Shinsky 3 0-0 6, Kate Whittaker 3 2-2 8, Becca Teske 0 0-0 0, Melissa Olsen 3 0-0 6. Totals: 25 12-18 64.
LS 6 14 16 19 - 19
Niles 20 41 55 64 - 64
Halftime score - NHS 41, LS 14
3-point shooting - Lakeshore 1 (Castonguay); Niles 2 (Radde 2). Rebounds - Lakeshore 15 (Evans 4); Niles 34 (Radde 7). Fouls (fouled out) - Lakeshore 12 (none); Niles 7 (none). Records - Lakeshore 4-14; Niles 16-2.