LAKEVILLE - Even when things aren't necessarily clicking to start a high school basketball game, coaches are encouraged when the entire team continues to provide a positive effort. Tuesday night LaVille played host to Career Academy South Bend in a non-conference game at Dale E. Cox Gymnasium. Like the cold January weather, there was a chill as both coaches watched a slow start. It was LaVille, however, that picked up the pace and settled in to take a 43-33 victory over the Trailblazers. "I thought we came out a little flat against Career Academy," said Lancer coach Michael Edison. "I just did not think we were as sharp as we needed to be." Though it wasn't the kind of start all coaches would like to see, there were other good signs. "I felt we were patient," noted coach Edison. "We were looking for the best shot we could get. Sometimes shots don't fall even though we get a good look." The Lancers did pick things up in the second quarter. The defense forced turnovers, held CASB to one shot, and used those opportunities to convert buckets during transition. Coach Edison's club used a 13-2 spurt to gain momentum and took a seven point lead into intermission. Up to this point, LaVille was being patient in the half court, but also taking advantage of opportunities to push the ball. Career Academy, meanwhile, was using a new approach against the Lancers. In the 10 meetings prior to January 27, 2026, was also patient in the half court and played a large majority on defense in a 2-3 zone. The average score in the last 10 CASB-LaVille outings was nearly 70 points for the Lancers, while the Trailblazers scored just over 50 points. In fact, LaVille scored 75 or more points four times and Career Academy scored over 70 points just twice in 10 meetings. "I knew Career Academy has been patient at times this year, but I was a little surprised that they did not push the ball more than they did," explained the Lancer boss when asked about the tempo of the game. "It was a slower paced game overall and they stayed in their 2-3 zone and did not extend it much even when they were down by quite a bit." The largest lead of the game came when Andre Gonzales converted two free throws to give Lakeville hosts a 43-21 before the final margin. "It took a quarter and then I thought we started to pick it up a little bit," said coach Edison after the game. "The 2nd half was a very good one for us as we started to connect both offensively and defensively." Lance Edison led all scorers with 25 points. But, coach Edison was quick to point out, "it was a great team effort." Indeed it was a team effort. Gonzales added seven points, added to his stat line with four assists, three rebounds, four steals, and a blocked shot. Also contributions came from Ryan Maenhout with five points, six boards, and a couple of assists. Braedyn Foster was huge inside, pulling down a season-high 13 rebounds to go with three steals. "Andre did a very good job on defense and he made a lot of good decisions on the offensive end," the LaVille skipper said when asked about additions that are not always recognized. "Lance was able to rebound and play solid defense. Braedyn did a great job inside rebounding and taking care of the inside on the defensive end. Ryan was very active on both ends of the court like he always is." LaVille improves to 11-6 overall and are scheduled to face Class 2A #7 Bremen, who are fresh off the everwise Bi-County basketball tournament championship The Lions are 13-0 overall and are tied for the Indiana Northern State Conference lead with Jimtown at 3-0. The Lancers are one game behind at 2-1, while Knox is at Jimtown. Friday's game will be a huge INSC and rivalry game. Let's pack Dale E. Cox Gymnasium! "We will need to have a full game of execution against Bremen Friday night if we are going to have a good chance against them," concluded coach Edison about the next LaVille opponent. LaVille 43 Career Academy South Bend 33 At Lakeville Score By Quarters CASB 8 7 4 14 - 33 LaVille 9 13 12 9 - 43 CASB - Siva Bell 4, Richard Hayes 5, Nico Gammage4, Kay'Veon Hayden 0, Davion Mitchell 15, Martell Thomas 0, Darian Williams 4, mon MUrray 0, Jeremiah Settles 0, Wyatt Saunders 3, Will Malone 0. Totals: 15 3-4 33 LaVille - Trenton Laidig 0, Cameron Brown 0, Caleb Skiles 3, Jonny Yoder 0, Andre Gonzales 7, Griffen Smith 0, Lance Edison 25, Aaron Keb 0, Liam Amor 3, Ryan Maenhout 5, Braedyn Foster 0. Totals:15 7-10 43 3-point field goals: CASB 2 (Hayes, Mitchell), LaVille 6 (Edison 3, Skiles, Gonzales, Amor) Total fouls: CASB 11 (none) LaVille 6 (none) Team records: CASB 8-11, LaVille 11-6 Next game: Bremen at LaVille Jan 30, 6pm JV score: LaVille 29 (Jonny Yoder 9), Career Academy South Bend (Darnell Starr 10)