By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
It was at least quick and painless.
The Lakeshore Lancers were eliminated by defending champion Niles Wednesday night in the Class B district semifinal at Dowagiac Union High School with surgeon-like proficiency.
The Vikings played their best quarter of the season en route to a 69-19 victory over the Lancers, who finish the year losing their final 10 games.
Long-time Lakeshore coach Jim Maier said that Niles played an awesome first eight minutes of the game to put his team out of the tournament.
Maier said that with Niles being so much bigger and stronger, his team just couldn't match up.
Niles, which shot better than 60 percent from the field and over 55 percent from the three-point line, raced out to a 12-0 lead on the Lancers, who end the season at 4-17.
Niles didn't rest on its lead.
Following Lakeshore's initial basket, the Vikings increased their advantage to 20-2 before the Lancers found the bottom of the net for a second time.
One of the biggest reasons for the quick start for Niles, which won its 21st consecutive district game, was the play of junior guard Brandie Radde, who had five 3-pointers in the game and finished with a game-high 17 points.
Niles scored the first seven points of the first quarter to hold a 27-4 advantage.
Things didn't get much better for Lakeshore in the second quarter.
The Vikings (19-2) continued their hot shooting. And, when Niles did actually miss a shot, it ended up with an offensive rebound and a put-back basket.
By the end of the first half Niles owned a 45-10 lead.
The Vikings outscored the Lancers 17-6 in the third quarter to lead 62-16 entering the final eight minutes of the contest.
Arnold emptied his bench early and often throughout the contest and played his reserves much of the second half.
Besides Radde's offensive output, Sarah Dreher scored 16 points and Melissa Olsen added nine points. Niles also got six points each from Ashley Pingel and Kate Whittaker.
Lakeshore was led by Lauren Castonguay's seven points.
The Vikings will try to make it eight straigth district crowns Friday night at 7:30 p.m. when it takes on St. Joseph for a third time this season.
St. Joseph defeated Coloma 46-27 in the opening semifinal game.
Arnold said that the Bears bring a lot to the table and could give his squad fits if it allows St. Joseph to get off to a good start.
Niles………..56
Sturgis……..31
Niles (69) - Amanda Pingel 0 1-2 1, Ashley Pingel 2 0-0 6, Amber Peters 2 0-0 5, Megan Scameheorn 0 0-0 0, Leigh Tyler 1 0-0 2, Brandie Radde 6 0-0 17, Sarah Dreher 6 4-5 16, Stephanee Schrader 0 0-0 0, Lauryn Gibson 1 1-2 3, Jessica Shinsky 0 0-2 0, Kate Whittaker 2 2-2 6, Rebecca Teske 1 0-0 2, Courtney 0 2-2 2, Melissa Olsen 4 1-4 9. Totals: 25 11-19 69
Lakeshore (19) - Dana Malone 1 0-0 2, Laura Wilke 0 0-0 0, Julie Davis 1 0-0 3, Emily Klunder 0 0-0 0, Amanda Harrington 1 0-1 2, Sarah Woodrick 0 0-0 0, Jordan Nelson 0 0-0 0, Monica Gathright 0 0-0 0, Synthia Sukys 0 0-0 0, Jesse Davis 1 0-0 3, Katie Patta 0 0-0 0, Katie Evens 0 0-0 0, Lauren Castonguay 3 0-0 7, Molly Lange 1 0-0 2. Totals: 8 0-1 19.
Niles 27 45 62 69 - 69
Lakeshore 4 10 16 19 - 19
3-point shooting - Niles 6 (Radde 5, As. Pingel); Lakeshore 2 (Davis, Castonguay). Fouls (fouled out) - Niles 6 (none); Lakeshore 11 (none). Record - Niles 19-2.