LR senior guard Kristen Huntress heads up the floor. (Rivet Photos)

By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

One way to beat a team that sports a taller front line is to force turnovers and beat them to the hoop.

Lake Region used a swarming defense against Waynflete last week to force 10 first-quarter turnovers, which resulted in several fastbreak point chances and a 23-6 lead.

Behind 18 points from Chandler True and 16 by Kristen Huntress, the Lakers raced past the Flyers 63-44 at Nutting Gym to improve to 3-2.

When the Lakers were fouled going to the hoop, they made their chances count. Huntress was 6-of-6 from the foul line while True went 6-of-8 as the team went 15-of-19, while Waynflete was just 5-of-7.

LR controlled the tempo from the opening tip, scoring their first 8 points inside the lane, either on quick breaks to the hoop or by using a crisp passing attack that found players wide open for easy buckets.

True, who lead the Lakers with 7 rebounds, knocked down a 3-pointer to make it 11-0 midway through the quarter, and later added a 3-point play off a strong drive to the rim and swishing a foul shot.

Waynflete finally put points on the board as junior forward Liz Olney tossed in a 3-pointer.

Sophomore forward Brooke Harriman blocks the path to the hoop.

After LR’s Melissa Bonenfant drained a trey, the Flyers closed out the quarter with Lydia Giguere hauling down a missed shot, scoring the bucket and a foul shot with 1.5 seconds to go.

The teams played a near even second quarter (LR up 15-12) with the Lakers continuing to attack inside and making foul shots (8-of-9). Reserve Rachel Shanks netted a 3-pointer after a Huntress steal to make it 38-14.

The third quarter was a bit ragged as Coach True used his reserves freely. They gained some valuable experience facing full-court pressure, resulting in 10 turnovers. But, True and Melody Millett each rattled home 3-pointers as the Lakers pushed the lead to 55-34 at the end of three.

The Lakers reacted to Flyer pressure better in the fourth quarter as multiple passes resulted in layups by Shanks and Huntress. LR was out scored 10-8, but closed the game with Shanks connecting on her second trey and Brooke Harriman netting a foul shot.

For the Lakers, Lauren Jakobs chipped in 10 points while Shanks had 8, Harriman 3, Bonenfant 3, Millett 3, and Aisley Sturk 2.

High scorer for the Flyers (2-3) was Lydia Giguere with 21 points and 5 rebounds. Annika Brooks chipped in 10 points and 8 rebounds.

Turnovers: LR 25, Waynflete 31

Rebounds: LR 23, Waynflete 27

Offensive rebounds: LR 8, Waynflete 9

Senior Melody Millett looks to tip the ball away on the Laker press.

Lakers 63, Maranacook 13: The Lakers made quick work of the Black Bears, building a 39-8 halftime lead to keep Maranacook winless last Friday at Nutting Gym.

Kristen Huntress scored a game-high 18 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Chandler True and Lauren Jakobs each chipped in 12 points as the Lakers improved to 4-2 at the holiday break.

The Black Bears posted the following scoring line: 5, 3, 4, 1 — meanwhile the Lakers closed out the contest with an 18-point fourth.

Other LR scorers: Brooke Harriman 6, Rachel Shanks 5, Eleina Sturk 4, Melissa Bonenfant 3, Aisley Sturk 3,

Heal Watch: At 4-2, the Lakers are ranked fourth in Class B South.

Up next: The Lakers return to regular season play with three road games — Thursday, Jan. 5 against Falmouth at 7 p.m.; Tuesday, Jan. 10 against St. Dom’s at 6:30 p.m.; and Thursday, Jan. 12 against Freeport at 7 p.m.