LAKEVILLE - We are just under a month away from the IHSAA state boys basketball tournament. So, the business at hand will be conference races, staying healthy, and continuing to get better everyday. For LaVille, it'll be another busy week for coach Michael Edison's Lancer basketball team. Edison's crew will open against Career Academy South Bend (Jan. 31), then play host to LaLumiere Regional (Feb. 1), before a matinee road trip to West Noble (Feb. 3).  The Jan. 31 game will be varsity only and can be streamed by clicking https://www.ihsaatv.org/?B=930910 Fresh off a 74-51 Hoosier North Athletic Conference victory to remain atop the HNAC standing, Edison's club gears up for three games in four days.   Collin Czarnecki led the Lancer offense with 22 points.  Lucas Plummer had 19, Michael Good added 11, and the duo of Lance Edison and Andre Gonzales chipped in with 9 points each. "We had stretches in the game where we played very well against Culver," said Michael Good.  "There was a point where it got down to 3 points and Collin Czarnecki got a steal, got fouled, and knocked down 2 free throws.  This jump started us and got us going again in the right direction after Culver had a nice little run.  We had some good production from many of our kids so it was a nice overall team effort." LaVille improved to 4-0 in the Hoosier North, with three loop games remaining - Feb. 9 at Triton, Feb. 16 v . Caston, and Feb. 20 v. Knox.  The Lancers and Trojans tied for the conference title in 2021.  LHS took championship honors in 2019 and 2018. The current run on the schedule is similar to that of the Everwise Bi-County Basketball Tournament from January 17 to January 20. We start this non-conference trio with 3-11 Career Academy South Bend Trailblazers, who comes to town following a 93-33 loss to Gary 21st Century on January 27. CASB is led by a pair of juniors - 6'0" guard Kalen Allen and 6'1" guard Ashton Murray.  Allen is the top returning scorer off an 11-13 team, while Murray, limited in scoring due to Tyvon Henry and Jacary Spades, added rebounds, assists, steals, defense, etc. "Their top two players are #5 (Allen) and #14 (Murray)," the Lancer boss said of the CASB catalysts. "They can drive, shoot, pass and simply make things happen on the court.  Their entire team rebounds very well as they crash the boards with a lot of energy.  They have played teams very tough and their record is not indicative of the type of talent they have on their team." Such was the case in the state tournament a year ago when, after LaVille won the regular season contest, 75-59, in South Bend.  Then in the 2A sectional semifinal, the Trailblazers bounced back with a 71-62 win to advance to the North Judson Sectional championship game. "CASB will run about every sort of defense during the course of the game: Man to man, 2-3 zone, full court man to man, full court trapping, 1-3-1 half court traps, and 1-2-2 trapping," explained Edison.  "They are very quick and like to get steals and push the ball in transition.  They have several players who are very basketball savvy and will hurt us if we are not careful." Coach Leon Johnson's team likes to cause havoc whenever they can. According to coach Edison, "Look for (the trap) anywhere and everywhere!" Keys to this game for the Lancers will be, "hipping out and getting rebounds. Handling their pressure while taking care of the ball. Finishing around the rim." The Lancer offense continues to be led by 'The Big Three', according to coach Edison.  Czarnecki, Good and Plummer all are averaging in double figures with 10 games remaining. Game on. GAMEDAY Teams: Career Academy South Bend (3-11) at LaVille (7-6) Site: Dale E. Cox Gymnasium, Lakeville, IN. Tip: Varsity only, 6 p.m. ET Coaches: Leon Johnson, 14-24 in 2nd year at Career Academy. Michael Edison, 222-140 in 16th year at LaVille Last Outing: Career Academy lost to Gary 21st Century, 93-33. LaVille defeated Culver Community, 74-51 All-Time Series: LaVille leads Career Academy South Bend, 11-1 Last Meeting: Career Academy defeated LaVille, 71-62, March 4, 2023, sectional Live Stream: Varsity only - https://www.ihsaatv.org/?B=930910