By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - A late fourth quarter attempt to make a comeback came too late for Buchanan's varsity basketball team as it fell to Lake Michigan Catholic, 41-33, in its season opener Tuesday evening.
The Bucks saw their only lead after ending the first quarter up 4-3, after that, the Lakers took charge.
Buchanan had trouble with LMC's press, rebounding and making shots in the second quarter.
Heading into halftime, the Lakers had a 23-11 advantage over Buchanan.
Hayley Cashier and Emily Ross were the only two to score for the Bucks in the first half.
The Lakers opened the second half by bombing a three-pointer.
Cashier, Lindsey Borr and Anna Callahan all scored for the Bucks in the third to bring Buchanan within nine points of the lead, 29-20.
LMC added four more points to the scoreboard and Cashier hit two free throws to end the third down 37-22.
The fourth took a turn for the better for Buchanan.
Ashley Pointer scored the first basket of the quarter for the Bucks, while Ross added another two on a steal with 5:26 left to play.
Another basket by Ross, assisted by Hillary Faulkner, put the Bucks within nine points of the lead.
LMC scored its first basket of the fourth at the 2:45 mark, but Faulkner nailed a three-pointer for Buchanan to keep the Bucks alive.
Danielle Bachleda scored her first bucket of the night with 1:30 left, to make the score to 39-33, but with eight seconds left, the Lakers scored one final basket to bring the final score to 41-33.
Both Buchanan and LMC had 21 turnovers in the game, which Weaver admitted hurt the Bucks pretty bad. Buchanan was outrebounded by LMC, 21-15.
Weaver said there are still quite a few things his team is going to have to work on as the season moves on, like calming down and getting used to the pace.
Cashier led the Bucks with 16 points, while Ross added six.
Ross had five steals for Buchanan and Leteshia Shannon added three.
Karla Cochran scored 15 points for LMC, while Ashley Raklovits added 10.
Buchanan returns to the court on Tuesday, Sept. 6 when it hosts Cassopolis for its first Lakeland Conference game set to begin at 7:30 p.m.
JV game
Buchanan's JV team also fell to LMC Tuesday, 47-14.
Leah Hunt was the leading scorer for the Bucks with five points.
LMC's Kayly Wolter had 19 points for the Lakers.
Buchanan's JV team will host Cassopolis on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 5:30 p.m.
BUCHANAN 33
Hillary Faulkner 1 0-0 3, Emily Ross 3 0-0 6, Katie Backus 0 0-0 0, Leteshia Shannon 0 0-0 0, Jayme O'Bryant 0 0-0 0, Lindsey Borr 1 0-0 2, Anna Callahan 1 0-0 2, Ashley Pointer 1 0-0 2, Danielle Bachleda 1 0-0 2, Hayley Cashier 6 5-4 16, Katie Dreitzler 0 0-0 0.
LAKE MICHIGAN CATHOLIC 41
Catherine Osborn 0 3-2 2, Theresa Maloney 2 5-2 6, Rebecca Criscenti 1 0-0 2, Karla Cochran 2 2 6-5 15, Amanda Ferrise 1 0-0 2, Heather Bartels 0 0-0 0, Shakima Crowder 0 0-0 0, Tracey Chuckas 0 0-0 0, Devyn Seaman 0 0-0 0, Madison Branch 2 0-0 4, Ashley Raklovits 3 3-1 10.