Lebanon boys face MWC leaders
Lebanon’s boys faced their toughest basketball test of the year last week with games at West Albany on Jan. 20 at home against Central Friday, Jan. 23.
Both teams are undefeated in league and ranked in the top six in state. West won 71-52 and . Central won 70-62.
West took control of the game early, leading 22-8 at the end of the first quarter. The Bulldogs, with five players ranging from 6-3 to 6-6, maintained their lead throughout the remainder of the game.
Lebanon made a few moves to cut into the score but West rejected them all. Lebanon was led by Gunner Miller, who had 23 points on 8-16 shooting from the field and 2-5 from the three-point arc. He also made five of seven free throws, pulled down four rebounds and added three assists.
Logan Large added 15 points on six-for-12 shooting from the field and 3-3 from three. He also added four rebounds and two assists.
The Central game was just as challenging. Central is also tall, with all starters 6 feet or taller, including posts standing 6-4 and 6-7.
The Panthers took advantage of their height advantage to establish a 19-4 lead after a quarter. Lebanon appeared somewhat shell-shocked but regrouped in the second quarter. The Warriors stopped the bleeding in the second quarter but still trailed 35-19 at the half.
The third quarter was a great example of tenacious defense and timely offense as Lebanon started to chip away at the Central lead. Slowly but surely, the Warriors started to gain the advantage. The lead was cut to eight, 52-44 at the third-quarter buzzer. Lebanon continued to chip away at the lead and several times had it down to four, but they couldn’t quite get over the hump and lost 70-62.
Large had a huge game, scoring 20 points on nearly perfect 12-13 shooting from the field, 1-1 from the three and 5-7 from the charity stripe. He also had seven rebounds, two steals and two assists.
Miller added 14 points, two rebounds and a steal. Finn VandenBos also had a productive game, scoring 11 points.
“We are fighting through some mental blocks,” Coach Casey VandenBos said. “We are a couple of possessions away from being 6-1. I still have a lot of belief about this group and the season isn’t over, We have our work cut out for us but we can play with anyone in our league.”
The Warriors travel to Crescent Valley on Tuesday and host South Albany Friday, Jan. 30.
– Mike Warner
Warrior girls split with West Albany, Central
Lebanon’s girls faced league-leading West Albany on the road Jan. 20 and hosted Central Panthers Friday, Jan. 23.
The task was daunting as West Albany came into the game with an undefeated league record and No. 5 state ranking and delivered true to form in an 82-52 win.
West Albany took charge early in the first quarter leading by eight, 20-12. The Bulldogs increased their lead to 16 at halftime, then stretched their advantage to 19 by the end of the third quarter. The final margin was 30.
Lebanon struggled from the floor, shooting 33.3% (20-60) from the field and 25% (7/28) from the three. One highlight of the game was Hazel Pepperling, who scored 26 points, shooting 50% (10/20) from the field and 50% (3/6) from three. She also collected nine rebounds, two assists and four steals.
Lebanon regained momentum Friday against Central in a 73-26.
The Warriors started with a 2-3 zone with pressure, then alternated defenses regularly to keep Central off balance.
They led 14-7 at the first quarter. The girls’ stifling defense held Central scoreless in the second quarter to give Lebanon a 38-7 lead at the half. The trend continued in the second half as the Warriors outscored Central 22-14 in the third quarter and 13-5 in the last stanza.
There were a lot of points to spread among the team as all 10 players scored.
Peyton Vorderstrasse led the team with 27 points, shooting 9-13 from the field and 7-9 from the three. She also had three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Her seven threes were two short of the school record.
The girls, 4-2 in league coming into this week, travel to Crescent Valley on Tuesday and host South Albany Friday, Jan. 30.
– Mike Warner