Little, Labedzki carry Hawks to win

When a team turns the ball over 23 times more often than not that team loses. But forcing your opponent to 26 turnovers can make up for it.

That's just what the Bartlett Hawks did as they went on to defeat the Lake Park Lancers 70-61 in Upstate Eight Conference boys basketball action at Bartlett Thursday night.

With a tight game early, the Hawks (3-2, 2-0) pulled away in the final six minutes of the first half, outscoring the Lancers 22-8 thanks to 7 points from Luke Labedszki, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer, and 6 points from Marc Little and Kevin Gates to take a 38-26 lead into the break. The Bartlett defense forced 10 turnovers in the second quarter alone.

"The first half, I thought we did a good job of defending them," said Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith. "The defense kind of sparked the offense in the first half."

However, the Lancers (3-4, 0-2) received a spark from Matt Drufke in the second half as he scored 8 points in the third quarter to pull Lake Park within 5, 48-43, near the end of the fourth.

Drufke wasn't finished, adding 13 points in the fourth quarter to finish leading all scorers with 27.

"We showed spurts of really good basketball," said Lake Park coach Cray Allen. "I think Drufke took a step forward with his toughness tonight."

But the Hawks were able to maintain a healthy lead through the fourth, not allowing the Lancers to get any closer than 5 points in the quarter.

Little led the Hawks with 26 points followed by Labedzki (23 points) and Gates (8 points). Lucas Antioho added 12 and Larry Nawrot 10 for the Lancers.

"They're a quicker more athletic team," Allen said. "They're going to take advantage of it. Little, I think he's faster with the ball than without it."

For the Hawks, this is one game closer to their goal of winning conference.

"To win conference, head to state, we just need to keep playing hard and keep playing together," Little said.

"Good bench, good starters, good coach, we're doing really good right now," Labedzki added.

Walther Lutheran 71, Westminster Christian 29: The Warriors (5-2, 0-1) fell short against Walther Lutheran in the Private Schol League.

Mike Nicosia led Westminster with 9 points. Ian Dutcher also added 5 points to the board.