Lake hoops split league action; swimmers open Federal schedule

The Lake girls basketball team continued its Federal League schedule over the past week, and it was a mixed bag for the Blue Streaks, who dropped their first conference game at Canton McKinley but not until after dispatching Massillon Perry.

Picking up the action at home Dec. 10, the Blue Streaks, fresh from a week of rest following their conference-opening win over GlenOak, entertained the Panthers. Not only was this a chance for Lake to stay undefeated in the Federal League, it also marked senior guard Hayden Croyle’s season debut after missing five games while recovering from an injury.

Croyle and backcourt mate Savanna Horning never missed a beat, combining for 25 points to lead the Blue Streaks to a 38-31 win over Perry. Lake appeared to take control by halftime, heading to the break with a 23-15 lead.

The winless Panthers made things interesting by outscoring Lake 13-6 in the third quarter to pull within one point. The Blue Streaks clamped down defensively in the fourth, allowing Perry just three points the rest of the way to secure the win.

Horning led all scorers with two 3-pointers and 13 points, while Croyle added 12. Kaitlyn Josef was one rebound shy of a double-double, finishing with 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Guard Lila Kleve scored 10 points, and forward Mya Patton added nine for Perry (0-5, 0-3).

On Dec. 13, the Blue Streaks traveled to McKinley hoping to keep the momentum going but ran into a buzz saw as the Bulldogs pulled away for a 62-43 win.

Croyle led Lake (3-4, 2-1) with 10 points, while Josef and freshman guard Audrey Goebelt scored eight points apiece. Goebelt, who made two 3-pointers, was the only player on either team with more than one. Mya Taylor scored 23 points for McKinley (6-2, 3-1).

Boys basketball

It was a hectic week for Lake, which played three games in four days after appearing in just two games over the previous two weeks.

The week opened well as the Blue Streaks extended their unbeaten streak to three with a 41-27 road win over Dover on Dec. 10. The final two games, however, did not go as planned.

Against the Crimson Tornadoes, Lake trailed 11-9 after one quarter before tightening up defensively and holding Dover to nine points over the next two quarters. The Blue Streaks built an 11-point lead entering the fourth quarter.

Gavin Salzwimmer led Lake with 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting, while Lucas Draher added 10 and Zach Novak scored seven. Novak also paced the Blue Streaks with eight rebounds, five assists and four blocks.

After a day off, Lake returned home Dec. 12 to face McKinley. The Blue Streaks trailed just 28-26 at halftime before the Bulldogs pulled away over the final two quarters for a 46-39 win, handing Lake its first loss of the season.

Ed Webster and Jamar Keyes scored 13 points each for McKinley (2-1, 1-0). Lake fell to 0-1 in the Federal League. No other details were available.

The following day, Lake again played host, this time to New Philadelphia. The Quakers (3-1) rolled to a 42-26 win over the Blue Streaks (3-2). No other details were available.

Swimming

The Blue Streaks returned to the pool Dec. 10 at C.T. Branin Natatorium for their first Federal League meet of the season against GlenOak and Jackson, and both the boys and girls teams came up short.

Lake’s boys fell to GlenOak 124-51 and to Jackson 119-47. The girls lost to GlenOak 113-63 and to Jackson 144-37. Elizabeth Kotyk placed third in diving with a score of 110.95, and Addyson Whaley finished third in the 100 butterfly in 1:08.44.