LAKEVILLE - It's been 16 days since the LaVille basketball team last played a game. After a delay to the start of the basketball season due to football success, the Lancers cancelled their scrimmage against Jimtown, then postponed regular season games against Westville and Tippecanoe Valley. LHS opened the season on November 30 against rival Bremen, then played five more games over the next three weeks. Just six games into the 2023-24 season, coach Michael Edison's club embarks on three consecutive doubleheader weekends and 10 games by January 26. That will include the Everwise Bi-County Tournament starting the week of January 15.  Should LaVille make it to the championship game, that would include the third leg of Friday-Saturday games. Following some time off during the holidays, Edison's crew returned to the hardwood for some concentrated areas that seemed rushed due to the delayed start. "We were able to get some nice extended practice as well as some time off for the guys over this Christmas break," Edison explained of the 16 days between games.  "It was nice to do some different things such as free throw contests, one on one contests and work on some different drills to sharpen up a little bit as we head into a very busy time of the season." WESTVIEW GAMEDAY The first team on the 2024 docket will be a strong 2A #16 Westview team.  The Warriors come into the game with a 7-2 overall record following a 58-47 victory over East Noble on Jan, 2. "Most teams are extremely tough …," said Edison.  "Westview will be one of the toughest teams we have played so far in multiple categories. They can all pass and catch extremely well, can all shoot from long distance, and all postup extremely hard."  When asked about what Westview would bring to the court, Edison said, "Westview pushes the ball up, they are very unselfish, every single player posts on the block extremely hard, they can all shoot from all areas of the court, and they move the ball very quickly with the pass. They will be one of the best teams we have played so far this year! They run a man defense, but trap on ball screens and run some different types of presses." Coach Chandler Prible's squad averages 52.8 points per contest, while allowing 46.6 per game.  The Warriors are 5-1 when scoring 52 points or more so far this season. Among those to watch are senior Luke Helmuth (12.8 points per game), senior Wyatt Zepp (10.4 ppg), senior Wiley Minix (9.6 ppg), and freshman Austin Slabaugh (4.3 ppg).  Minix is also the leading rebounder for WHS. "Both Kepp and Minix are seniors and are playing very good basketball," noted Edison.  "They also have a player who is shooting 50% from three-point range." Beyond the normal rebound and take care of the ball goals, Edison wants his club to defend. "Can we defend against a team that shoots the ball so well?" wondered the Lancer skipper. LaVille is 3-3 overall after a 45-35 loss to a very good Hebron basketball team.  The Lancers are averaging 51.7 points per outing, while giving up 48.3 per game.  The Warriors lead the all-time series 6-1 over the Lancers.  This will be Westview's first-ever trip to Dale E. Cox Gymnasium.  Prieb's club has won its only regular season battle against LaVille.  A year ago, Westview jumped to a 25-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back in a 81-62 victory over their guests from Lakeville.  Among those returning for the Warriors that played in last year's game, Helmuth finished with 16 points, Minix 11, and Springer 10.  Michael Good led LaVille with 22 points. LHS returns to Hoosier North play on January 6 at North Judson-San Pierre.  The junior varsity game is scheduled to tip at 6 p.m. EST. GAMEDAY Who? 2A #16 Westview (7-2) at LaVille (3-3) What? JV - 6 p.m. | Varsity: 7:30 p.m. ET Where? Dale E. Cox Gymnasium | Lakeville, IN. Coaches? Chandler Prible, 24-11 in 2nd year at Westview, 54-30 in 4th year overall.  Michael Edison, 218-137 in 16th year at LaVille. Last Outing? Westview defeated East Noble, 58-47. LaVille lost to Hebron, 45-35. Series? Westview leads LaVille, 6-1. Last Meeting? Westview defeated LaVille, 81-62, Jan. 6, 2023. Live Stream? JV - https://www.ihsaatv.org/?B=776628 Varsity - https://www.ihsaatv.org/?B=776560