LAKEVILLE, IN. - Defense was the name of the game for LaVille as the Lancers played host to Trinity Greenlawn in high school girls basketball. The Lancers held the Titan offense to single digits each quarter and for the game in a 49-9 victory at Dale E. Cox Gymnasium. First-year LaVille coach Nicholas Amor has brought with him a defensive philosophy that features the basic elements of basketball defense. "No matter what we are in (defensively), communication and help rotations are key," Amor explained when asked of his defensive philosophy. "That we are the aggressor every night." LaVille registered the second-lowest defensive effort in the last 22 years in holding Trinity to just nine points for the game. The lowest point total of eight against Career Academy of South Bend ranks among the best since the 2000-01 season. "Defense is our key to success this year and the ladies know that and are embracing it every night!" said Amor. A total of four made field goals and one made free throw were allowed by the very active half-court defense and full-court press. The LaVille defense forced 27 turnovers and 17 Lancer steals. A total of seven players were responsible for at least one steal. Brooke Edison led the sniper effort with four steals. Sherk and Kuskye chipped in with three each, while Smith, Weil, and London Kwiatkowski had two apiece. Admittedly, the LaVille offense got off to a slow start, but gained footing and was able to score consistently for the remaining three quarters to pull away for the win. The Lakeville hosts opened a 9-4 lead as three players hit the scoring column in the first quarter. Lucy Sherk, Mikalah Kuskye, and Lily Smith all converted offensively. "I felt we brought a lot of energy to the game," said Amor. "We had a bit of a slow start offensively and gave Trinity a few offensive rebounds early on, but overall we were locked in and ready to play." LaVille used its full-court and half-court 'D' to help keep the offense going. A big 28-3 scoring burst through the middle two quarters allowed LHS to take a 37-9 lead. A total of seven players hit the scoresheet for LaVille, including Heaylyn Kwiatkowski. The senior guard hit for 12 of her game-high 14 points through the second and third quarter. Sherk was also steady throughout, scoring 12 points and corralling six rebounds. Amor was able to get some quality minutes for his bench, with Brooke Edison, London Kwiatkowski, Quincy Blodgett, and freshman Ava Weil logging 11 minutes or more. Weil also scored her first varsity points on a field goal in the third quarter. The LaVille coach has appreciated the four seniors and their leadership during his initial campaign as the Lancer skipper. "Having four seniors is a huge plus," said Amor. "I can really lean on them to implement my philosophies and expectations. I have been impressed by the team as a whole and their ability to be malleable and fulfill the roles I have asked them too. Even if that's not what they initially anticipated their roles to be. "I think we are taking strides in the right direction," Amor continued after watching his club improve to 3-1 overall. "We have a tough match-up Friday against CMA (Culver Military Academy). So I think our test will be if we can come out against them with the same level of focus and intensity as the last three games!" The Lancers travel to Culver Academy Friday for a non-conference meeting with the 4-2 Eagles. CMA is coming off a 56-49 victory at Peru on November 12. * * * * * LAVILLE 49 TRINITY 9 At Lakeville Trinity 4 2 1 2 – 9 LaVille 9 12 16 12 – 49 Trinity – Teresa Pingel 5, Sarah Sanford 2, Ava Tormey 0, Natalie Gabrielse 0, Morgan Scroope 0, Lauren Urbanski 2, Jeanette Skendzel 0, Paetra Bartek 0, Ava Slack 0. Totals: 4 1-6 9 LaVille – Lily Smith 5, Heaylyn Kwiatkowski 14, Ava Weil 2, Brooke Edison 4, Mikalah Kuskye 4, Lauren Edison 0, London Kwiatkowski 8, Lucy Sherk 12, Quincy Blodgett 0. Totals 17 13-18 49 3-point field goals: Trinity 0, LaVille 2 (Smith, H. Kwiatkowski) Total fouls (fouled out): Trinity 10 (none), LaVille 9 (none)