Lady Braves improve on perfect mark

Their record is perfect, but the La Conner High Lady Braves still look for ways to get better.

“We’re always wanting to improve, to grow as a team,” veteran La Conner head coach Scott Novak said after his charges routed Auburn Adventist 60-23 last week.

The focus that night was rebounding.

Senior front-liner Anna Cook led all scorers with 16 points, yet surpassed that total on the glass.

Cook grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds — most of those coming at the offensive end — to pace La Conner.

Cook’s relentless work on the offensive backboard gave the Lady Braves repeated second shot opportunities.

Adiya Jones was also tough inside for the victors, scoring 12 points and pulling down six rebounds.

Perhaps more impressively, she led La Conner with six steals.

As a team, the Lady Braves recorded a season-best 28 steals. And even when Auburn Adventist reached front court, an empty trip was often the result.

La Conner’s rebounding more times than not limited the Auburn team to just one shot per possession.

No Auburn Adventist player reached double figures.

Kye Robinson, a 5’-8” senior, finished with six points. Kennedy Haffner and Kamryn Klingstrand added four points apiece, while Brooke Plecker drained a trey.

The Lady Braves also enjoyed balanced scoring — only on a much larger scale.

Naikiya Edwards joined Cook and Jones in double digits. She meshed 11 points, nine coming during a 22-4 second period La Conner run.

She and other members of the Lady Braves backcourt made sure the win over Auburn Adventist wasn’t merely an inside job.

La Conner’s perimeter shooting was a key factor throughout.

Katie Novak buried a pair of deep treys, one in the third frame, when Nakesha Edwards also hit a three-pointer.

Point guard Kamea Pino deftly orchestrated the attack, getting her teammates involved in the offense. That included Ashley Watkins, who returned from injury to net six points and take some of the inside scoring pressure off Cook and Jones.

The Lady Braves anticipated a far more stern test at home Monday night opposite South Whidbey.

“The big thing is we want to keep getting better,” coach Novak said Sunday. “Even though we’re 7-0, we know there’s always room for improvement.”

In related news and notes:

• The annual Bo Alleckson Basketball Tournament is set for Jan. 3 and 4 at Landy James Gym. The 36-team tourney field will be comprised of boys and girls entries, ages fourth through seventh grade. The bracket features 54 games, according to Novak.

• La Conner High teams swept South Whidbey in late Monday hoops action. The Braves prevailed 52-35 behind 15 points from Scott Lindeman and 13 more from Cameron Hansen. The Lady Braves downed South Whidbey 58-27. Nakiya Edwards led La Conner with 19 points. Katie Novak and Adiya Jones added 12 and 10 points, respectively.