The theme from the film Rocky played over the PA system Friday at York High School as the home team emerged from the locker room for the second half.

The Lady Wildcats, however, would have needed the Italian Stallion himself throwing jabs and hooks for any hope of putting the visiting Lake Region squad on the canvas.

York’s girls were expected to provide one of the tougher challenges for the Lakers. Indeed, the hosts were sitting atop the Heal point standings last week, but Lake Region occupies that spot now after drubbing the Wildcats, 50-22.

“The Lakers are better than last year,” said York coach Rick Clark. “Their intensity took us out of our game and we went into a panic mode, becoming individuals instead of a team.”

The contest was not even as close as the final score. Lake Region guard Samantha Allen scored the game’s first three hoops, staking her squad to a 7-0 lead just three minutes in. After that, her teammates started scoring as well.

The Wildcats only bucket of the quarter was a fast break lay-up by Maura Roche, and the Lakers were up 17-2 after one. Roche also had her team’s only basket in the second period, and at intermission her opponents were up by 23 points.

At that point, no amount of inspirational music could change the outcome.

Though the Lake Region offense was on track, it’s their defense that has established them as the team to beat in Class B West this season. Opponents have been able to muster just 27 points per game, and many of those have been scored after the result had long been decided.

“That’s what our team’s made out of. It’s our D that wins every game,” said Renee Nicholas. “That’s what we work on in practice. Coach always tells us to ‘go get it.'”

Against York, Nicholas and fellow guards Kim Rivet and ZZ Leighton swarmed over the hosts, never allowing them to feel comfortable in the offensive end. Every pass was challenged, resulting in a number of steals, but even tipped balls affected the Wildcats ability to get into any kind of rhythm.

“I loved our defensive intensity and I love how hard our team played,” said Lakers coach Paul True. “We talk a lot about deflections … just getting a piece of the ball is crucial, and with Kimmy, Renee and ZZ on the floor, they’re three great defenders.”

Allen didn’t keep up the scoring pace of the opening minutes, but was content to make smart passes and exert her strength on the boards. She finished with 15 points, while Kayla Nowell added 10 and Kate Callahan had eight.

After dispatching York and topping Wells Tuesday, Lake Region pushed its record to 8-0. Greely (7-2), who came to Naples before Christmas, has been the only opponent to get within 15 points of True’s squad, but that was still a nine-point win. The Lakers have won their other games by an average of more than 30 points.

A trip to Cumberland on Jan. 20 for a rematch with the Rangers may provide the last challenge for Lake Region until deep rounds of the state tournament, but the players are taking nothing for granted.

“We’re all confident, but we don’t want to get cocky,” said forward Shannon Morton.

“I’m excited,” Leighton said, “but I want to take it one game at a time.”

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