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Lake Forest Gives Indians
Another Lesson at Slam Dunk

By DAVID MAULL, TV Times

Photo: IR head coach Pat Kelly

Regardless of its improvement during the course of a season, a team as inexperienced as Indian River is simply going to be beaten by better opponents.

That's what happened Tuesday, Dec. 29, 1998, as IR fell to Lake Forest 58-39 in the Governor's Trophy consolation game of the Slam Dunk to the Beach Holiday Invitational high school boys' basketball tournament in Lewes.

After playing perhaps their best game of the season Saturday, Dec. 26, in a 55-51 loss to Dover, the Indians came out flat against Lake Forest and found themselves staring at a 20-point deficit midway through the second quarter.

"We didn't execute as well as we would have liked to against their zone in the first half," said IR coach Pat Kelly, whose team is 0-7. "I think we're getting better but we didn't show it in the first half. Defensively, we broke down in the first half."

The Indians shot just 25 percent (6-for-24) in the first two periods and committed 13 turnovers. At intermission, they trailed 38-15 and, despite a solid second-half effort, got no closer than 18 points the rest of the way.

Kelly, however, was pleased with his team's progress during the tournament.

"I'm real happy with the way we practiced this week, I'm real happy with the way we played last game (against Dover)," he said. "We've got to figure out ways to put pressure on people because we have some weapons."

IR trailed 6-5 early before Lake went on a 20-2 run to break the game open. Larry Bryant sank a 3-pointer and two free throws during the spurt while Mike Stevenson had nine points, including a 3-point play and a rim-hanging baseline dunk.

The Spartans (5-2) were able to drive the lane for a number of easy baskets and extended their lead to as many as 26 points (38-12) before halftime.

Anthony Jones led IR with 15 points and 11 rebounds while Antoine Stratton added 14 points. Stratton, a senior who wrestled last year instead of playing basketball, shot 6 of 8 from the field, including a 3-pointer.

"I'm encouraged by his play today," Kelly said of Stratton. "In order to get anything done this year, we're going to need him to play like that."

IR shot 37 percent from the field in the game but ended on a positive note, outscoring Lake 24-20 in the second half. The Indians were plagued by poor foul shooting, however, hitting just 8 of 24 shots from the line.

Stevenson led Lake with 15 points while Bryant added 11. It was Lake's second victory over IR this season.