With the Lancers playing for fifth place in the Ameritime Classic at Parkway West, it was time for junior Joel Pennington to once again raise his game. The team’s point guard and main ball handler hit four three-pointers and finished with 24 points to lead the Lancers in a 55-41 win over Parkway West on Jan. 28.

As usual, Pennington was helped out by senior Aareon Smith, who made nine free throws in a 16-point effort. Junior Luke Kreinkamp also had a solid game under the basket with 12 points.

After going into halftime trailing 29-16, Central pulled to within eight to close the third quarter. But that was the closest they would come as the Lancers sealed it by pulling away in the fourth.

If Pennington’s words are any indication, the Lancers earned much more than a fifth-place finish with Friday’s victory. He sees it as a sign that his team is playing its best basketball at just the right time.

“I would say we’re heading into a stretch in our season where there isn’t a team that we’re not better than or that we can’t beat,” Pennington said, “And after coming off a good last two games in our last tournament, we’re looking to make a little run heading into Districts.

With the win, the Lancers conclude tournament play for the season and will face Conference opponents in five of their final eight games. The team currently holds its best record of the season at 9-7 and is scheduled to face Francis Howell Central (9-9) on Jan. 31.

Smith scores 22 as Lancers rebound against host team

Just one game after being held to eight points against Parkway South, Aareon Smith returned to form and led the Lancers to a 41-37 win over Parkway West on Jan. 27. He did most of his work under the basket, where he earned 16 free throws and made 11 of them.

Smith’s performance overshadowed an off-night by the rest of the team, which had only two other players record a point. Juniors Joel Pennington and Luke Kreinkamp finished with 15 and 4 points, respectively.

As the Lancers continue to flirt with a .5oo record at 8-7, they will take on Parkway Central (9-9) for fifth place in tournament on Jan. 28. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Lancers come out flat to open Parkway West Invite (Jan. 26)

After beating Marquette on Jan. 14, the Lancers waited 11 days before opening the Parkway West Invitational on Jan. 25. The effect of the layoff was obvious in a 53-39 loss to Parkway West, in which they went 13-26 from the free throw line.

The team’s lone bright spot was a solid game from junior Luke Kreienkamp, who drew two charges in the first half and finished with 11 points. Senior Will Montgomery also added nine points.

“Our offense is helping my game out. The helpside defense has to stop me and I’m using my body to score more,” Kreienkamp said.

Despite his efforts, the Lancers were overwhelmed inside as the Longhorns (13-3) got 15 points from Tom Holaway. With the loss, the Lafayette (7-7) fall into the tournament’s consolation bracket and will take on Parkway West Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m.