ROYAL CENTER - It's time for LaVille Basketball! On December 15, coach Michael Edison's team will travel to Pioneer for a girl-boy Hoosier North Athletic Conference doubleheader. The varsity girls and junior varsity boys tip things off at 6:30 p.m.  The gals will open in the main gym, while the guys hit the floor in Gym #2. Around 8 p.m., the LaVille boys basketball team follows in the main gym.  The JV girls square off in Gym #2. The game will be live streamed by clicking on: Live Stream: https://team1sports.com/pioneertv/ This will be the 13th meeting between the two schools, with LaVille leading the series, 9-3.  LaVille has won the last seven straight games in the series, and Edison is 8-1 all-time against the Panthers. Pioneer is 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the Hoosier North following a 41-38 victory over North Miami.  PHS averages 40.0 points per game and allows 54.9 points per outing. LaVille improved to 2-1 overall and checks in at 1-0 in the HNAC following a 69-55 victory over Winamac a week ago. Edison's club will also be challenged by its first weekend doubleheader.  A conference game at Pioneer on Dec. 15, then a rivalry game against John Glenn on Dec. 16. "We have a big weekend ahead of us," Edison said when asked about the weekend.  "We have a conference game tonight against Pioneer and then a big game against a local rival in John Glenn.  We had a good week of practice and I hope the guys will continue to be ready to play at a high level of focus for the games this weekend." According to Edison, the Lancers have prepared for a zone defense and know that Pioneer has veteran starters. "Pioneer zones most of the game so we really worked hard on our zone break, zone sets, and motion vs. zone," said the Lancer skipper.  "They have five starters who are seniors so they return a lot of depth.  The coach's son is probably their best player in (Drew) McKaig.  They do not hesitate when shooting from outside, but they have several guys who are very good drivers.  They run more of a 5-out type of offense." McKaig is the top returning scorer from a year ago.  The 6'2" senior averaged 15.6 points per game, nearly 6 rebounds an outing, and kicked in 3 steals a contest.Brayden Erickson, a 6'0"senior guard, averaged 6.1 ppg, 3.1 rebounds, and nearly 3 steals last season. The other seniors include Rylahn Toloza, a 5'6" guard, Luke Blackman, also a 5'6" guard, and Lane Bryson, a 6'1" forward. "I don't think they will press a ton, but a team really needs to be ready for their zone defense," explained Eidson. "They play well at home and this is a conference game in which they will want to play well.  They have a lot of experience and have played together for a long time.  We just have to come out with the correct focus level, ready to play hard and execute on all levels." Edison points to execution against their offense, keeping guards from penetrating into the lane, and controlling the boards as keys to a Lancer victory. Edison's team averages 59.0 points per contest and allows 50.3.  Each of the last four games in Royal Center have been decided by 7, 7, 17, and 3 points.  The last a 51-48 Lancer loss to the Panthers. Game on . . .  G A M E D A Y Teams: LaVille (2-1) at Pioneer (1-3) Site: Pioneer HS, Royal Center, IN. Tip: HNAC Girl-Boy Doubleheader | Varsity Girls: 6:30 p.m. (Main Gym), JV Girls: 8 p.m. (Gym #2) JV Boys: 6:30 p.m. (Main Gym), Varsity Boys 8 p.m. (Main Gym) Coaches: Michael Edison, 217-135 in 16th year at LaVille. Darren McKaig, 24-50 in 4th year at Pioneer Last Outing: LaVille defeated Winamac, 69-55. Pioneer defeated North Miami, 41-38 All-time Series: LaVille leads Pioneer, 9-3 Last Meeting: LaVille defeated Pioneer, 56-37, Dec. 16, 2022 Live Stream: https://team1sports.com/pioneertv/ 2023-24 HOOSIER NORTH ATHLETIC CONFERENCE Boys Basketball HNAC O-ALL Triton                1-0      5-0 Knox                  1-0      1-0 LaVille                1-0      2-1 Culver                1-1      4-2 North Judson  0-0      4-1 Caston              0-0      2-3 Pioneer             0-1      1-3 Winamac          0-2      2-4 Games Involving HNAC Teams Friday, Dec. 15 Caston at Knox LaVille at Pioneer Triton at Winamc Saturday, Dec. 16 John Glenn at LaVille Knox at LaPorte North Judson at Westville Pioneer at Argos Trinity Greenlawn at Culver Monday, Dec. 18 Pioneer at Frankfort North Newton at Winamac Wednesday, Dec. 20 Hebron at LaVille Triton at Jimtown