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Mostly Cloudy Lawrence unbeaten in conference play
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Lawrence’s Nicole Robinson goes up for two of her 11 points in last Friday’s 47-29 victory over Wheatley.
Kathy Leistner/Herald
In search of its first girls’ basketball conference title in more than 10 years, Lawrence couldn’t be in better position as the season approaches the midway mark.
The Lady Golden Tornadoes remained undefeated in Conference ABC-V with a 47-29 victory over Wheatley last Friday afternoon. Senior Quianna Peterson (13 points) and freshmen Nicole Robinson (11) and Natalie Leger (11) all scored in double figures to lead a sixth straight conference win out of the gate and seventh overall in nine games.
“We played poorly in our first two games back from vacation, so it was nice to see us get back to doing what made us successful in December,” Lawrence coach George Klein said. “I think the inactivity hurt us. Tonight was another encouraging sign. We took care of the ball and made smart decisions.”
After struggling to emerge with wins at Friends Academy—in overtime—and Clarke earlier last week, the Lady Golden Tornadoes led Wheatley from start to finish despite playing their third game in four days. They held a two-point advantage after the opening quarter and stepped on the gas in the second, outscoring the visitors by a 16-5 margin to lead comfortably by 13 at halftime.
Peterson, who has developed into a consistent threat from the outside, sank a trio of three-pointers in the game and has seven on the season. Leger, who can play guard and forward, also features a nice outside shot and drained a pair of treys to soften Wheatley’s interior defense. Robinson had nine rebounds to go with her fifth double-digit scoring performance of the season and hit three of the team’s 12 free throws.
“The conference is stronger as a whole, in my opinion, than last season,” said Klein, “but I see no reason why we can’t keep this up.”
Senior Talibah Jones led the offense in a 42-38 win at Clarke on Jan. 6, scoring a game-high 17 points including 10 in a first quarter that saw Lawrence build a 13-point cushion. Peterson and Robinson added eight points apiece and junior point guard Farrah Desvarieux dished out seven assists.
The previous day saw Robinson hit for a career-high 24 in a 45-42 overtime win at Friends Academy. “To have players like Nicole and Natalie walk into the program as ninth-graders and contribute so much is a thrill,” Klein said of Robinson and Leger.
The newcomers have taken the pressure to score away from Desvarieux, who can still make opponents pay if they don’t defend her with respect. “Farrah’s an unselfish player and she’s doing a fabulous job,” Klein said.
Senior center Rachel DiLuzio has been a defensive force in the low post and makes her counterparts work for everything they get. “Her defense and rebounding has made a huge difference,” Klein said.
The race for the conference championship figures to come down to Lawrence and Glen Cove, which sits a half-game behind at 5-0. “We’ve got a nice mix of veterans and younger players,” Klein explained. “The girls are playing with confidence and having a good time.”
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