LAKEVILLE - LaVille Lady Hoops coach Nicholas Amor knew that Winamac was going to offer challenges heading into the 2A LaVille Sectional #34 semifinals. After a slow start offensively, Amor's club battled defensively throughout, before giving way 48-34 to the Warriors at Dale E. Cox Gymnasium. "Winamac had a tough mix of shooters and post players," said Amor. "We knew going into the game we would need to stick #’s 3 Kandace Kroft) & 12 (Sadie Popejoy) around the perimeter and be ready to help on drives. We did a great job of this in the first half especially. Then Winamac began to exploit our second help rotation." It was a defensive standoff especially early as Winamac took a 5-0 lead after eight minutes.  The two teams combined for just one made field goal despite having good looks. Amor's crew continued to keep track of the Warriors in the middle quarters as the offense finally came around. LHS outscored Winamac 25-22 in the second and third period and trailed just 27-25 heading into the final eight minutes. Denni Markin, Lexi McQueen, Faith Mejer, and Ava Weil spread out the scoring to keep the score manageable. "We started to find ways to get to the rim," said Amor when asked about his team's play in the middle quarters. "We played passing lanes a little better and got some transition opportunities. When you see the ball go in close, the outside shots begin to fall." The Warriors, however, began to pull away during the first half of the fourth quarter, going on a 14-4 run for a 41-29 lead. WHS converted on four straight possessions and LaVille could get no closer. "It felt like there was a lid on the basket the majority of the game and when you have games like that, defense becomes all the more important to keep yourselves in it," said Amor.  "We were locked in defensively and still gave ourselves a chance to win even with a below average shooting percentage." Even in falling short, Amor was quick to acknowledge his team. "Our rally was too late," explained Amor. "Winamac shot the ball better and finished their open looks. "They played till the buzzer and that’s what I expect from a veteran group," Amor continued about his club. "They never lost their fight and for that I am proud. It shows the next group coming up that there is an expectation that the Lady Lancers compete. Thankful to those upperclassmen for their leadership in that regard." Mejer and McQueen led LaVille in scoring with 10 points each. Weil and Markin added six points each, and Cloie Davis chipped in two. Markin cleared the glass for 10 boards, and filled the stat sheet with five blocked shots and three assists.  Weil was the top sniper with three. "We will miss them and we are losing a lot of talent," Amor continued about his seniors. "But they are leaving behind their mark on their teammates and the future looks bright." IHSAA Class 2A Sectional 34 At Lakeville Semifinal Winamac 48 LaVille 34 Score By Quarters LaVille 0 11 14 9 - 34 Wianamc 5 9 13 21 - 48 LaVille - Faith Mejer 10, Lexi McQueen 10, Madi Singleton 0, Cloie Davis 0, Ava Weil 6, Morgan Schmidt 0, Denni Markin 6. Totals 12 5-14 34 Winamac - Maggie Keller 3, Kandace Kroft 9, Kylie Fisher 0, Jordan Compton 4, Sadie Popejoy 15, Marissa Iverson 13, Corinne Ulerick 4. Totals: 15 13-21 48 3-point field goals: LaVille 5 (Mejer 3, McQueen 2), Winamac 5 (Kroft 2, Popejoy 2, M Keller) Total fouls (fouled out): LaVille 15 (Mejer), Winamac 11 (none) Team records: LaVille 9-13 (final), Winamac 19-6