Fast start keys Lakeview

The Bulldogs are 4-0 in the TAC after a 59-34 victory over Girard.
By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
GIRARD -- Lakeview High coach George Lanterman wasn't taking any chances against a depleted Girard team, so the Bulldogs jumped ahead early in the Trumbull Athletic Conference game Tuesday night.
However, Girard stayed strong and tied the score, 13-13, on freshman Adam Charles' 3-point goal to start the second quarter.
Then the flash soon faded and Lakeview was back in control en route to a 59-34 victory.
"We know how hard Girard kids play and, with their backs to the wall, we knew they were going to come out and play that way," Lanterman said. "Our objective was to get the ball to the rim and rebound," he of Lakeview's plan of attack. "We're in Girard's gym and Coach [Mike] Delbene and his assistants always do a great job getting their kids motivated."
Opalka scores 18
Dustin Opalka had a game-high 18 points and Jon Kittle added 15 for the Bulldogs (8-2, 4-0) who won their sixth straight.
Opalka and Kittle also had four steals apiece in a game in which 21 turnovers accented Girard's woes.
Ten of those turnovers came in the first half, including an interception by Lakeview's Mike Marando that turned into two points to snap the 13-all tie. It was followed by Kittle's defensive rebound that resulted in a layup by Opalka.
"At halftime, we talked about getting the ball to the rim and defending," Lanterman said.
The Bulldogs took the words to heart as they scored 13 points in the third quarter, while limiting Girard to just four.
Lakeview's 33-21 rebounding advantage also played a role in the outcome.
Opalka, a senior guard, also had five assists, while Greg McCumber and Zach Repphun grabbed six rebounds apiece.
Although the final score doesn't indicate a struggle, Delbene refused to use the suspension of four players and injury to a fifth as an alibi.
"Early in the game, we had a couple good looks, but they just didn't fall. Plus, we lacked offensive firepower," he said of his Indians, who made 9-of-18 goals in the first half, before falling off to finish 15-of-38 for the game.
Two free throw attempts
To make matters worse, the Indians didn't attempt a free throw in the first half and were 1-of-2 overall.
Conversely, Lakeview made 20-of-50 goals and 16-of-24 free throws.
"We had to depend on our defense and that let us down a little," Delbene said. "But we refuse to use our adversity as an excuse. We don't have that much height even with a full team."
Therefore, Delbene's focus at this point of the season is two-fold.
"We're building a halfcourt man defense and, offensively, trying to free up some guards on cuts, although Lakeview did a nice job of taking our cutters away."
For Girard (2-8, 1-2), Doug Starr, a 6-foot-1 senior, and Andrew Schenker scored eight points apiece, while Charles added seven. The Indians had spurts of hope with their offensive passing, but, on several occasions, weak or errant balls fell into the hands of the visitors.
Girard's two wins are over Howland and Brookfield, the latter on Jan. 5.
bassetti@vindy.com