Lock nabs scoring record as Eagles secure two wins

Huron Valley Lakeland scored two wins this past week and senior Stephanie Lock set a new school record in the process.

Lock now holds the Lakeland record for most points scored in a season with 352 points in 20 games, as Lakeland defeated Novi and Livonia Stevenson to finish the regular season at 16-4.

“We went on the road and beat the first- and second-place teams in the KLAA (Kensington Lakes Activities Association) Central Division,” said Lakeland Head Coach Mike Head. “We wanted to gain some momentum going into districts; we’ve done that to some degree.”

The Eagles began the week with a 39-34 victory at Novi, the KLAA Central champion, on Tuesday, Feb. 22.

Lakeland led 11-10 after the first quarter before Novi (16-4) tied the score at 16-16 at halftime.

The Eagles then went on a 15-5 run in the third quarter and held off a 13-8 run by the Wildcats in the fourth to pull off the win.

Lock finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds and 3 steals. Marlayna Malvich had 4 points and 3 rebounds.

“While Lock gets a lot of attention for her scoring numbers, the wins we get stem from our team defense,” Head said. “Whether it’s Rose Deren, Jessica Haren, Callie Vivian or others, we are winning low-scoring games because we can defend.”

Lakeland then traveled to Livonia Stevenson on Thursday, Feb. 24 and grinded out a 42-41 victory over the Spartans.

The Eagles trailed 12-10 after the first quarter before taking a 25-19 halftime lead.

Stevenson (12-8) then went on a 13-3 run in the third quarter to take a 32-28 lead.

But Lakeland came back to tie the score at 41-41 and had the ball with 12 seconds left in the fourth.

“We drew up a play for Lock,” Head said. “Stevenson trapped her right away, but she split the trap, found Jessica Haren who made the extra pass to Malvich, then Malvich attacked the rim and got fouled with 1.5 seconds left.”

Malvich split the two free throws and Lakeland was able to hold on for the win.

Lock finished with 23 points to set the new school single-season scoring record and also grabbed 10 rebounds and had 5 steals and 3 blocks.

Lakeland has a first-round bye in the district tournament at Hartland and will face either Hartland or Walled Lake Northern in a district semi-final tonight, Wednesday, March 2.

The district final is scheduled for Friday, March 4.