LAKEVILLE - For more reasons than one, LaVille Lady Hoops head coach Nicholas Amor wanted to play Saturday's regular season finale against Washington Township. After a battle back and forth early, the Lancers settled in for a 45-32 victory over the Senators in high school basketball at Dale E. Cox Gymnasium. With impending winter weather late Friday night into Saturday, lake effect snow was forecasted over in Valparaiso, Indiana, which is where the Senators call home. LHS got word Saturday that Washington Township would be traveling to Lakeville for the 6pm varsity-only tip. Amor would indeed get to see his club play in the regular season finale at Dale E. Cox Gymnasium. Why was this game so important to Amor and his club? Without Saturday's game, the Lancers would be over a week until their opening game of the 51st IHSAA Sectional. More importantly for Amor was seeing a team that would provide a little more in the post as they prepare for the state tournament. "I think this was a big game for us to guard some post play," explained Amor. "Washington Township had some good post play and this was a good opportunity for us to show some good solid defense in the half court," said Amor. "The other thing is that we struggled to shoot and we still found ways to score and that was a big positive going into next week because we can show that we can score without being at the 3-point line." Faith Mejer, Ava Weil, and Denni Markin led LHS in the first quarter, combining for all 15 of the Lancer points in taking a 15-7 lead. LaVille was slowed a bit in the second quarter, but the Lancer defense stayed tough, allowing the Senators just one field goal to take a 21-12 halftime lead, and ultimately winning the battle in the paint, 18-10. In the second half, LaVille was able to pull away hitting from deep and also hitting 10 of 12 from the free throw line. "The girls did a good job of getting what they were given rather than trying to force what they were used to," explained Amor. "Washington Township took some things away. We weren't hitting shots very well, so we started to get to the rim and found a lot of offensive boards tonight, which is something that we are not used to doing. Those are good for me to see those second-effort plays that give us second chances. Then playing in the passing lanes, Faith did a great job to start the game just playing lane, Madi playing in the passing lane, just doing a really good job just being aggressive." Mejer, Weil, and Markin led the offense scoring all but two points for the Lakeville hosts. Amor was also happy with several other members of his squad. "Morgan (Schmidt) played great defense. She really locked in when she had the opportunity," Amor said of other key contributions. "And honestly Syd (Williams) and Cloie (Davis) when they came in they didn't skip a beat. And honestly that is what we need, we need to not skip a beat when we sub in on the floor if not enhanced. And I thought that Cloie and Syd did a good job when they came in for Morgan, and then Lexi (McQueen) continues to give us good minutes as a freshman." LaVille, now 9-12 overall, drew a bye as the 51st IHSAA state Tuesday's opener pits Career Academy South Bend against Winamac at 6pm. The nightcap, immediately following, pairs Knox opposite Jimtown. The Lancers will face the winner of Career Academy South Bend and Winamac in the 6pm game on Friday February 6.  Bremen tangles with the Knox-Jimtown winner. The championship is February 7 at 7:30pm "We are excited to see what Winamac brings to the table," Amor noted when asked for his initial reaction.  "We'll watch them Tuesday night and I think they are going to get through Career Academy, then play them Friday night." LaVille 45 Washington Township 32 At Lakeville Score By Quarters WT 7 5 8 12 - 32 LaVille 15 6 12 12 - 45 Washington Township - Mackenzie Darnell 0, Heidi Stump 2, Madilyn Winchip 8, Layla Reeder 0, Rebecca Martin 0, Olivia Calvert 3, Catelyn Wellensiek 13, Brooklyn Campbell 6, Julia Goetz 0. Totals: 11 5-8 32 LaVille - Syd Williams 0, Faith Mejer 20, Lexi McQueen 2, Madi Singleton 0, Cloie Davis 0, Ava Weil 13, Morgan Schmidt 0, Denni Markin 10. Totals: 15 10-13 45 3-point field goals: Washington Township 5 (Winchip 2, Wellensiek 2, Calvert), LaVille 5 (Mejer 3, Markin 2) Total fouls (fouled out): Washington Township 15 (Martin) LaVille 12 (none) Team records: Washington Township 9-9, LaVille 9-12 Next game: Career Academy South Bend-Winamac winner at LaVille in Class 2A Sectional at LaVille Feb 5, 6pm