Lions Latest: Postseason Tournaments Under Way

Mid-to-late Febuary is one of the best times of the year for sports fans of the Shore Conference, with the Shore Conference Tournament in full swing and the State playoffs set to begin shortly. We'll look back at the past week, while giving a preview of what is to come, as well.

Boys Basketball: The Lions held the longest winning steak in the Shore Conference and sat at 19-3 at weeks end. After losing to Jackson Memorial on Feb. 9, the Lions responded with two straight wins. It took overtime for the Lions to outlast the Ocean Township Spartans. The speedy Tasheen Carrow scored 16 points and Logan McDonald added 13 in the Lions 55-47 win.

On Valentines Day, Logan McDonald had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in Lacey's four-point win over Matawan, 42-38. The win was the first round of the Shore Conference Tournament as the seventh-seeded Lions defeated the 26th seeded Huskies. The Lions however, bowed out to Manasquan in the second round of the Tournament as Manasquan put up 55 points against the tough Lacey defense. Carrow had 16 points and Ryan Reitmeyer scored 12 in the 55-46 loss.

The Lions next game will be Monday, Feb. 27, the first round of the South Jersey Group III playoffs, at home against Timber Creek.

Girls Basketball: The Lady Lions overcame a halftime deficit back on Thursday, Feb. 9 to defeat Jackson Liberty 51-45. In the first round of the Shore Conference Tournament, the Lions' hearts were broken on Valentines Day with a 59-29 loss to Middletown North. Lacey, who held the 22nd seed was ousted by North, the 11th seed. Jenna Fleck scored a team high eight points and was followed by Tayler Batalla with seven. Jennifer Coleman scored six.

On tap this week for the Lions are two match-ups with local teams. On Tuesday the Lions will be taking on Monsignor Donovan and later that week on Friday they will travel to Toms River East for a 4 p.m. game.

The Lady Lions will be taking on Kingsway, at home, on Feb. 27 in the South Jersey Group III tournament.

Wrestling: Lion wrestlers took two out of three matches in a quad match last Saturday. The Lions sandwiched a loss to Passaic Valley with wins over Hasbrouck Heights and Cedar Grove. Both Lex Knapp and Pat Schinder went undefeated, with six pins between them.

On the following Saturday, Lacey came in third in the District 23 championship. Pat Schinder and Lex Knapp both won their weight classes. Knapp remains a perfect 36-0 on the season. The day concluded with Lacey head coach Tom Pfister being named the coach of the year in District 24.

Next week, Schinder and Knapp will be tested at the Pine Belt Arena in Toms River, advancing to regionals.