Lawrence snaps Bethel winning streak

Published 3:11 pm Sunday, November 23, 2008

ASKEWVILLE – Lawrence Academy upset unbeaten Bethel Christian here Thursday night.

The Warriors came in 1-1 under first-year skipper Jon Powell, but used solid performances from Daniel Oliver and Shane Stevens to knock off the Eagles 62-48, despite a 30-point night from Michael Cseko.

“Facing a hostile road environment for the first time this season, I thought we played very tentatively for the first 16 minutes,” Powell said. “The fact they are still adjusting to a new coach with a different coaching style and philosophy obviously had something to do with the indecision exhibited on the court as well.”

The Eagles bolted to a 14-10 lead after one quarter, but Lawrence was able to surge ahead 25-24 at the intermission. The Warriors were able to extend their lead by one in the third frame, going ahead 39-37 heading into the final stanza.

The Warriors scored 23 points in the final period, including a near perfect 13-of-15 from the free throw line to seal the victory.

Oliver led the Warriors not only with 21 points, but 13 rebounds while Stevens was the only other Lawrence player in double figures with 19. Chad Whitehead added nine points and Dylan Ralph had six.

Bethel got 30 points from Cseko as well as five rebounds, two steals and one assist. Josh Caldwell chipped in nine points, had three rebounds and three steals. Kyle Freeman added six points and Shannon Hoggard had three.

The Warriors (2-1) will next travel to Greenfield School on December 1 while Bethel will host Northeast Academy on Monday evening.