Lawrence ready for conference foes

Lawrence experienced many more ups than downs during a December that saw it win five of seven games on the hardwood, but coach Joe Supple planned a few changes heading into the Conference A-III portion of the schedule that begins Friday at home against Bethpage.

“We’re going to make a few tweaks on offense and defense, and pick up the intensity in practice,” Supple said after the Golden Tornadoes settled for runners-up status at last week’s Hank Williams Memorial Tournament in Malverne. “The kids always practice hard,” he added. “We’re just going to do things a little different and see if it helps.”

Lawrence averaged 73.8 points per game in non-league action and had its low- and high-water marks come in the Malverne tourney. The Golden Tornadoes could do no wrong in the first round Dec. 27 and ripped the host Mules, 100-77, but struggled two nights later in a 71-46 loss to Elmont in the final.

The Spartans, who got 18 points from junior Marc Campbell, 12 from senior Christian Watson and 11 from senior Michael Dugue, saddled Lawrence with its first two single-digit quarters of the season. The Golden Tornadoes had more points in the opening quarter against Malverne — 29 — than they did in either half against Elmont. 

“It was a nice awakening, and also a little disappointing because I thought we were going to like the way Elmont plays defense,” Supple said. “Our guys do a great job in transition, but Elmont did a nice job in transition defense.” 

The Spartans were off to the races after Tim Lewis hit the game’s first shot. They led by as many as 12 points — 17-5 — in the first quarter as Dugue scored nine and Lewis six. After Lawrence cut the margin to six thanks to a three-point play by junior Eddie Robinson, who scored a game-high 31 against Malverne, Watson, Calvin Nyabingi and Reggie Pierre got into the act for Elmont and sparked another run that gave it a 35-21 lead at the half.

“Defense is what we pride ourselves on,” Elmont coach George Holub said. “We got right after a really good team tonight and forced a lot of turnovers.”

Turnovers, points in transition and hot shooting keyed Lawrence’s big win over Malverne. Junior Clifton Lyerly returned to the lineup after a three-game absence due to a shoulder injury and chipped in 18 points, while sophomore Dwayne Daniel hit for 27 and senior Kwadwo Agyapong added 12. “We played an incredible first half,” said Supple, noting the team’s 63-27 cushion at intermission. “We were flying on offense and our defense made them earn every basket.”

Lawrence also split spirited December games against Chaminade (74-72 loss) and St. John the Baptist (82-72 win.) Daniel poured in 28 points each game, while Robinson exploded for a career-high 41 against St. John the Baptist.

“We’re eager for the conference games to start,” Supple said. “The kids play against the same schools in a lot of other sports, so it’s fun to get the rivalries going.”