Lady Braves lock up key win with inside game

Upset-mindedFridayHarborwas looking to steal a game at La Conner last week.

It wasn't happening.

Not with the Lady Braves having already planned an inside job of their own.

Lauren Reynolds and Anna Cook scored 17 points apiece – with most of their damage coming in the paint – as La Conner cruised to a 46-30 home conference win Friday night at Landy James Gym.

With the win, La Conner improved to 14-4 overall.FridayHarborfell to 6-12.

The Lady Braves had won the two teams' earlier meeting, a 47-28 decision at Port Townsend in December holiday tournament action.

Senior center Aubrey Stewart also got in on the act the second time around, dishing off four assists with deft interior passes from the high post.

FridayHarborhad no answer for Stewart's quick and precise deliveries.

When Stewart's feeds didn't result in direct scores off base line cuts, they put teammates in position to draw contact in traffic while attacking the rim.

The Lady Braves earned repeated trips to the charity stripe, where they converted 10 of 16 attempts.

Reynolds accounted for precisely half those, going five-of-eight from the line. She also gathered 10 rebounds for the victors.

Cook maneuvered nicely in the blocks for seven boards, several coming off the offensive glass, each of which helped extend La Conner possessions and made possible second shot opportunities.

La Conner's inside game eventually loosened things up on the perimeter for guard Katie Novak and forward Katie McKnight.

McKnight buried a pair of mid-range jumpers and converted her only two foul shots.

Novak, logging much of her time at the point, finished with four points. Like McKnight, she was perfect at the foul stripe, hitting both free throw attempts.

In addition to her crisp passing, Stewart also posted up for a score and grabbed a pair of rebounds.

La Conner head coach Scott Novak hoped Friday's win would give his charges added momentum going into Tuesday's trip to Orcas and tomorrow night's regular season home finale against Concrete.

The Feb. 6 pairing includes the annual visit here of theUniversityofWashingtonpep band

But it's the Lady Braves who are looking to provide an encore.

In a related note:

*In addition to the UW band's appearance, Thursday's La Conner High girls' and boys' games will be highlighted by special Senior Night festivities.

Game at a Glance

FridayHarbor– 30

La Conner – Cook 17, Reynolds 17, McKnight 6, Novak 4, Stewart 2 – 46