Most stats and records are always flushed down the toilet in a rivalry game.
Tuesday’s contest between Lebanon and Camdenton was no different, as the Lakers came into the game averaging just around 52 points per game in a season where both teams have mightily struggled.
However, Camdenton looked like a team on a mission, forcing 20 turnovers unofficially en route to a 79-62 win over Lebanon at Boswell Auditorium.
“I think if our team learned anything (on Tuesday), it’s that if you don’t come out and guard as hard as you can for a full 32 minutes, it is not going to be good enough,” head coach Ryan Toombs said after the loss. “That’s on us (the coaching staff). We didn’t have them prepared enough to defend as hard as they can, and we only gave up 30 points in the second half, and if we had done that in the first half, we would have won the ball game.
“They (Camdenton) shot it better than they ever have and ever will. At some point, that is going to be on us with how we are defending people.”
After a made basket from senior Tristan Wilson and a pair of free throws from senior Peyton Mitchell, the ‘Jackets (3-13 overall, 0-4 Ozark Conference) cut the Camdenton lead down to just five points (62-57). After a handful of turnovers a few possessions later, it would eventually be too much to overcome as Camdenton’s Tommy McElyea, and Kyle Christiansen converted three easy layups to push the lead to 68-57.
“The ball didn’t bounce our way, and neither did the whistle,” Toombs said of the late-game collapse. “To win close games, you need at least half of those. It needs to be at least 50-50, and it was 100-0. We need to have them better prepared to go hard for a full 32 minutes, and we will do that from now on.”
For the complete story, see the Weekend edition of the LCR.
