MidValleySports.Com

(Pasadena) – La Salle managed to neutralize Paraclete’s inside game en route to defeating the Spirits 61-44 in the second round of the CIF Division 4A playoffs.

The usually slow-starting Lancers started the game on an 11-2 run to set the tempo against the taller Paraclete front line.

Ian Schuler hit four three-pointers in the first half to help La Salle explode to 16 point lead in the second quarter.

Schuler ended the evening with 17 points. Kishon Sanders and Darryl Oliver both added 16 points to key the offense.

The Spirits were held to just five points in the second quarter which enabled the Lancers continue its momentum during the stanza. Paraclete never could get a run of its own going during the half as they were matched on every basket and went nearly the entire quarter without a field goal.

With La Salle’s experience against height advantaged teams during the Del Rey League, it allowed the Lancers to run iso-plays with Oliver and Israel Lacy which during the second half found themselves with open lanes during one-on-one attacks to the basket with 7’1 Mike Vankirk completely away from the middle of the key.

Vankirk came into the game with 123 blocks in 27 games but only managed to have four on the evening but did alter shots during the game.

Sanders played an integral part in moving Vankirk away from the bucket and even made a great play late in the game on a dribble-drive to the basket that had Vankirk standing still to give the Lancers a 57-35 lead late in the fourth quarter.

Jase Harrison led the Spirits with 15 points in its loss.

Paraclete ended the season with a 22-6 record, while La Salle improved to 17-11.