NCN SPORTS BLOG

Lakeland senior point guard Lou DeMello knifes through the John Jay defense in transition.

Lakeland, led by a game-high 23 points from Jason Obmoni, defeated the John Jay Indians, 62-54. Lavor Morris also chipped in 17 points in the win.

Notes on the game

* Lakeland, who are on a two-game winning streak following their rough loss to Panas back on December 17, look to be gelling as a unit. Point guard Lou DeMello explained that practice had been rough — killer drills and lots of running — since the loss to Panas. Well, it looks like it has paid off. The Hornets used their speed and transition game to perfection against the Indians, jumping out to a commanding 37-24 first half lead.

* Lavor Morris and Jason Omboni played exceptional. Without a true post-presence, Lakeland has to rely on these two players to knock down their open shots. When they are on — which wasn’t the case against Panas — the Hornets are a much more dangerous and effective team. If the duo can score in the mid-teens — as they also did in a win over Yorktown — Lakeland has a real shot at winning the League II Central. Omboni, in particular, is a deceptive player. He doesn’t physically appear to be much of a threat, but has the ability to knock down shots from all ranges and also knife into the lane.

* Late in the game with a 10 point lead, Morris put back an offensive rebound instead of pulling it out and milking the clock. After he missed the shot, John Jay’s Anthony Iacomini went down and buried a 3-pointer, cutting Lakeland’s lead to seven, 61-54. Coach Weltman was irate — and deservedly so — at the err in judgment. Morris, who is a phenomenal athlete and player, will learn from every mistake he makes this season.

* John Jay, per usual, stepped it up once they started playing a team game. When Mike Saldutti elevated his level of play in the third quarter, scoring seven of his nine points, John Jay was able to make a valiant comeback, pulling within two, 47-45. It is no coincidence that Drew had his best quarter — scoring seven of his 13 points — when everyone on the team shouldered a piece of the load. Playing from the point guard position, Drew was able to dish to Saldutti in the soft middle of Lakeland’s zone. He was also able to push the transition, displaying his boundless athleticism.

* Now at 1-6, John Jay has to start putting together complete efforts to be a playoff team. You can see they have the ability, but it comes in short glimpses here and there.