Rebounding the ball key for victory in Spartans’ win
Lady Spartan Siyana Allen goes up for a shot during the game against the Bayshore Bruins on Wednesday, Jan. 28. (NAIMA JACKSON | SNN)
By TONY RENGIFO
SNN Staff Writer
In a semifinal game that sent one team home for the season, rebounding was the key to the victory and the Lakewood High School girls’ basketball team came out on top.
The Spartans beat the Bayshore High School Bruins 50-44 on Wednesday night at Lakewood’s gym.
The girls were led by star player junior Siyana Allen who scored 27 pts, just over half of the team’s final 50 points.
Starter Jaylynn Presley also scored in double digits with 10 points. Another 13 points were scored by two other starters and two players from the bench.
“It was great. … The game was difficult, but we put our hearts into it,” Presley said.
Rebounding the ball was key in the victory. Whoever could control the ball was going to win this game, and that’s what the Spartans did. The Spartans had 24 rebounds, seven from Allen.
In the first half, the Bruins were offensively rebounding the ball, getting second chance opportunities and points. But in the second half, the Spartans stepped up, especially getting key rebounds in the last few minutes of the game.
Sophomore Latavia Nelson had a rebound she brought back to her bucket to score on with only a couple of minutes left.
Allen, the high scorer, made two key free throws near the end of the game.
“I was under a lot of pressure,” she said.
Though they won the game, coach Necole Tunsil said it still wasn’t their best performance.
“It was our worst game we played in the last nine games,” she said.
But about the win, she said, “I feel honored to coach these young ladies. They’ve shown maturity. I’m happy for them.”
The Spartans next face the Southeast High School on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Southeast in Bradenton in the district championship.
“We’re ready. If we can beat Bayshore, we can beat Southeast,” Presley said.
Lakewood High School varsity basketball Coach Necole Tunsil talks to the lady Spartan basketball team during the game on Jan. 28. (AKILAH BELL | SNN)
Junior Siyana Allen dribbles the ball down the court during the game on Jan. 28. The Lady Spartans won, 50-44. (AKILAH BELL | SNN)
Lady Spartan Siyana Allen goes up for a shot during the game on Wednesday. (NAIMA JACKSON | SNN)