Arnold reaches 1,000 points

Lake Park standout forward Sam Arnold knew she was close to reaching the 1,000-point mark in her career during Thursday's nonconference girls basketball game against Downers Grove South. Arnold, however, wasn't about to force things.

"Play and let it come," Arnold said.

The junior hit that milestone with a 15-foot jump shot from the right wing early in the third quarter. Arnold's performance and a strong overall team effort by the Lancers paved the way to a 77-60 victory over the host Mustangs.

"It's incredible," said Arnold, who scored 18 points. "It is sure an accomplishment."

"It's nice to get it over with," added Lake Park coach Lisa Smith. "She is a great player and is a good shooter."

Downers South's game plan defensively was to hold Arnold to 15 points. That worked early on as the Mustangs held her to 2 points in the first quarter while shooting lights out for a 20-17 lead after the first eight minutes of play. Sharpshooting guards Annie Brashaw and Gianna Pecora each sank a pair of 3 pointers as Downers South made its first 7 shots from the field.

But while the hosts were focusing on the 6-foot-4 Arnold, other Lancers like forward Devin Johnston and guard Lynsey Ciezki stepped up. With her tenacious play around the basket, the 6-1 Johnston tallied 10 of her 18 points in the first half. Ciezki showed her outside touch by scoring 7 of her 10 points, including a 3-pointer.

"We knew they were going to double team Sam so others would be open," Johnston said. "We just started scoring and it worked."

"That combo is tough to play inside," Smith said of Arnold and Johnston. "Johnston is a workhorse and gives 110 percent all the time. I was pleased with the team effort. The kids got good shots and a lot of those shots fell."

Lake Park (6-1) led 33-28 at halftime but pulled away in the third quarter by outscoring the Mustangs 25-12 -- including a 10-0 run in the final three minutes -- to take a 58-40 lead into the fourth quarter. Johnston scored 6 points and guard Jenna Aloia also made 3 shots from the floor.

Downers South (3-3) kept fighting to the end. Brashaw's fifth 3-pointer of the game cut what was a 19-point Lake Park lead early in fourth quarter to only 9 points with 3:20 left to play. Brashaw finished with a game-high 19 points. Pecora and Danielle Janowiak also made clutch shots down the stretch, scoring 16 and 11 points for the game, respectively.

The Lancers iced it with a couple of inside moves by Arnold and some free throws.

"(Arnold) is a great player and they have a great team," said Downers South coach Mike McGinnis. "We will see them again."