LAKEVILLE - LaVille Lady Hoops has not forgotten a 30-year end to the Bi-County championship from 2023. It sits in the history of Lancer basketball forever. Last season, first-year head coach Nicholas Amor's club knocked off Oregon-Davis, Argos, and then defending champion Bremen to hoist the Everwise (formerly TCU) Bi-County Basketball Tournament trophy. Now, it's time to earn the next piece of history. "I don't think we feel that pressure of attempting to defend something," said Amor. "The girls understand that everything is earned year in and year out. I think the tournament already brings a good amount of positive pressure in wanting to win for the pride of the community." The Lancers will open the 59th annual Everwise Bi-County Basketball Tournament against Culver Community on Wednesday, January 17. At 6:30 p.m., LaVille Lady Hoops varsity will face Culver girls basketball inside Dale E. Cox Gymnasium.  The LaVille junior varsity boys will meet Culver, also at 6:30 p.m., in the auxiliary gym. Then around 8 p.m., LaVille varsity basketball tangles with the Culver varsity in Cox Gym, while the junior varsity girls will play the Cavaliers in the auxiliary gym. Due to the snow and frigid temperatures, the first two days were postponed. Adam Neace's Cavaliers are 4-12 overall following a 34-33 loss to Frontier.  Culver averages 30.6 points per game, while the Cavs defense allows 43.4 ppg. LaVille is 6-10 overall after a 42-39 loss to North Judson-San Pierre.  The Lancers led the Blue Jays 12-6, 25-14, and 36-28 before being limited to three points in the fourth quarter. Brooke Edison led LHS with 11 points and Ava Weil added 9. According to coach Amor, Culver will play a compact zone on defense and try to use the big's to get points in the paint. "Culver will play a packed in 2-3 zone and we still have to find ways to get to the basket" said Amor.   "Offensively they have some size in the post and will try to utilize that size.  "We need to come out and be the aggressors defensively. Offensively we need to find the flow that we finished with against John Glenn. We haven't had that in these past couple of games." We asked coach Amor about the overall field of eight teams in the varsity field for this tournament. "I think the named front runner on the girls side of the bracket this year is New Prairie," explained Amor.  "They are a tough team that has done well to start the season. As we move into tournament time they have a strong group that is playing well. "I truly believe records only show a glimpse of what a team is capable of. Using us for an example I feel as though we could very easily be 10-6 if we close out some games that we let get away from us. As always the Championship is any team's for the taking, and I am excited to see what our girls do with the opportunity laid before them!" Similar to the boys tournament field, the winner must win three games in four days. "Focus is key," noted Amor.  "There will be a lack of practice for everyone to prepare for each team. So all teams will need to be locked in mentally." Game on . . . G A M E D A Y EVERWISE BI-COUNTY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT Game #1 Oregon-Davis (5-12) at Triton (7-11) At Trojan Trench 6:30 p.m. Coaches: Aubrey Lady, 20-42 in 3rd year at Oregon-Davis Last Outing: Oregon-Davis lost to Argos, 79-54. Triton defeated Winamac, 35-25 Series Last 20 years: Oregon-Davis leads Triton, 23-12 Last Meeting: Triton defeated Oregon-Davis, 64-30, Jan. 3, 2024 Game #2 Argos (8-10) at John Glenn (9-9) At Everwise Gymnasium 6:00 p.m. Coaches: Scott Jennings, 47-43 in 4th year at Argos. Ryan Reese, 9-9 in 1st year at John Glenn Last Outing: Argos defeated Oregon-Davis, 79-54. John Glenn defeated South Bend St. Joseph, 41-30 Series Last 20 years: John Glenn leads Argos, 10-7 Last Meeting: John Glenn defeated Argos, 47-26, Jan. 18, 2018 Game #3 Bremen (8-10) at New Prairie (15-4) At  New Prairie HS 6:00 p.m. Coaches: Alex Robinson, 110-81 in 8th year at Bremen, Aimee Litka, 46-37 in 4th year at New Prairie Last Outing: Bremen lost to Elkhart, 72-50, New Prairie defeated South Bend Riley, 56-24 Series Last 20 years: Bremen leads New Prairie, 20-5 Last Meeting: New Prairie defeated Bremen, 63-45, Dec. 8, 2023  Game #4 Culver Community (4-12) at LaVille (6-10) Varsity: 6:30 p.m. | JV -  8 p.m. Coaches: Adam Neace, 4-12 in 1st year at Culver Community. Nicholas Amor 25-17 in 2nd year at LaVille Last Outing: Culver Community lost to Frontier, 34-33. LaVille lost to North Judson, 42-39 Series Last 20 Years: LaVille leads Culver Community, 21-9 Last Meeting: LaVille defeated Culver Community, 41-31, Jan. 28, 2023