LAKEVILLE, IN. – It’s a basketball night in Lakeville! Hoosier North Athletic Conference foe Pioneer pays a visit to Dale E. Cox Gymnasium as the LaVille Basketball team returns to loop play. The Panthers are 1-3 overall and 0-1 in HNAC play. PHS is coming off a 57-54 double overtime victory over North Miami on Dec. 10. Drew McKaig led Pioneer with 20 points and nine rebounds. Brayden Erickson added 10 points and five boards. “Pioneer likes to run a 3-2 zone on defense,” said LaVille coach Michael Edison. “On offense they will push the ball and are not shy about shooting if they are open. “McCaig, the coach’s son, is their best offensive player,” continued Edison. “He averages a little under 20 points per game. He is their main offensive threat.” Edison’s club has a 3-2 overall record (1-0 in HNAC play) following a 48-42 victory at Winamac on Dec. 9. Collin Czarnecki led the Lancers with 23 points and seven rebounds. Michael Good returned to action and added 10 points and five rebounds off the bench. Ross Wagoner chipped in with six boards. “Michael gives us an added dimension both as an inside and outside player,” Edison said of Good. “He is very athletic and can help us get key rebounds. He also has the nice ability to finish down low.” While Edison’s crew is still not at full strength, the Lancer coach looks forward to getting another player back on the floor – Lucas Plummer. “We are looking forward to getting Lucas back at some point,” Edison said of his 6-foot-2 junior. “I am just glad he is not going to miss the entire season. Last year he was an integral part of what we did and we expect him to be a part of things once he gets back to being 100% healthy.” Since losing its first two games of the season, LaVille has won three straight. Westville and Tippecanoe Valley, who have a combined 9-2 record so far this season, got the best of the Lancers to open the season. However, LaVille got back in the win column against Bremen, an upset over then-No. 10 Argos, and Winamac. “We have pulled out a few close ones,” said Edison. “Our defense during key times of the game has been what has carried over the hump in those games. In our last game Collin Czarnecki was 11-12 from the free throw line and that was very key as well. I really like the scrappiness of our team. Even when we are not doing the best offensively our defense is able to give us a chance to win games.” In order for LHS to continue to be successful against Pioneer, Edison says, “We will have to make good decisions against their zone. Shooting the ball well against the zone is also a key. Transition defense and keeping them from getting easy buckets will also be an area of focus for us.” LaVille picked up a 55-48 win in Royal Center last season. LHS used a balanced offensive attack to pick up the HNAC victory. Collni Czarnecki led the Lancer offense with 15 points. Lucas Plummer scored 12 points, Owen Smith 11, and Ross Wagoner nine on Dec. 17, 2021. McKaig led Pioneer with 18 points. It’s a girl-boy doubleheader against Pioneer on December 16. The varsity girls open the night against Pioneer at 6:30 p.m. inside Cox Gymnasium. Also at 6:30 p.m., the junior varsity boys will meet the Panthers in the Auxiliary Gym. Around 8 p.m., the varsity boys will face PHS inside Cox Gymnasium, while the JV girls play in the Auxiliary Gym at approximately 8 p.m. LaVille leads the all-time series, 8-3. * * * * * G A M E D A Y Teams: Pioneer (1-3) at LaVille (3-2) Site: Cox Gymnasium, LaVille HS Game Time: JV – 6:30 p.m. * Varsity – 8 p.m. ET Coaches: Darren McKaig (19-31 in third year at Pioneer). Michael Edison (203-126 in 15th year at LaVille) Last Outing: Pioneer defeated North Miami, 57-55, 2OT. LaVille defeated Winamac, 48-42 All-Time Series: LaVille leads Pioneer, 8-3 Last Meeting: LaVille defeated Pioneer, 55-48, Dec. 17, 2021