Lady Braves skip drama, win two laughers

They may have lacked drama, but the two most recent performances staged by the La Conner High Lady Braves were a big hit with head coach Scott Novak.

“This team is a pleasure to watch,” Novak said of his undefeated club, which routed NW2B rivals Cedar Park Christian and Orcas in consecutive road shows last week. “They’re very unselfish and play the game the right way.”

The numbers bear him out.

La Conner drubbed Cedar Park 63-21 on Thursday, then raced past Orcas 78-45 the next day.

With the twin wins, the Lady Braves improved to 14-0 overall and 8-0 in league play.

And, as one would expect of a team atop conference standings, La Conner takes its role seriously — often forcing foes into a comedy of errors.

That was how the script played out this past week.

The Lady Braves were never challenged much after the opening tipoff, building huge early leads in both games.

La Conner dashed to a 22-5 first period lead at Cedar Park. The Lady Braves built a 20-10 advantage in the opening stanza against Orcas.

Anna Cook led the victors on Friday with a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds. She was a matchup problem all night for Cedar Park, which also struggled keeping the La Conner senior sealed from the offensive glass.

Eight of Cook’s boards came at the offensive end, resulting in second shot opportunities for the Lady Braves.

One reason Cook was free to roam the paint was La Conner’s superb perimeter play.

Nakiya Edwards finished with 14 points, including three deep treys. Katie Novak, Kamea Pino, and Emma Christianson likewise found the range from beyond the arc.

Cook also had help in the blocks.

Frontliner Adiya Jones chipped in eight points and seven rebounds.

Sarah Dresler scored 10 points for Cedar Park.

The La Conner cast presented an equally impressive encore at Orcas.

Jones paced the winners with 24 points, while Cook added another 17. Christianson and Ashley Watkins finished in double digits, as well, netting 10 points apiece.

Novak, Pino, and Nakesha Edwards drained treys as seven La Conner players landed in the scoring column.

Hannah Guydos led the Lady Vikings, who trailed 64-26 after three quarters, with 14 points.

After watching his team roll to the pair of lopsided triumphs, coach Novak focused on Tuesday’s opponent, longtime league rival Darrington.

“They’re a good team,” he said following his film study of the Lady Loggers, “but if we continue to play the way we’re capable of, we’ll be okay.”

La Conner follows up the Darrington test with a Jan. 30 home date opposite Shoreline Christian. That game coincides with an appearance by the University of Washington Husky pep band and Junior Cheer Night festivities.

The Lady Braves, for their part, will again be looking to give fans at Landy James Gym plenty of reasons to cheer.