Submitted by Gene Helfman

When perennial basketball power Lummi Nation visits, Lopez can get its hopes up, but reality often sets in quickly. Such was the case for the Dec. 14 games, with both Lopez teams falling behind early and never really threatening. Also, as usual, both Lopez teams played their hearts out throughout the games, despite the foregone conclusions. In the ladies’ game, Lummi Nation was ahead at halftime, 39-15. This lead grew and the final score was Lummi Nation 73, Lopez 24. Lopez scoring was led by Dani Arnott with 12 points, followed by Betty Burt with 6;

Melissa Valencia, Iris Ervin-Mclean, and Evelyn Aquilar-Clavel also scored. Coach Karrie Warner was still upbeat afterward, happy with the way the team played: “The girls are moving forward, working on quick passes, and getting it down the floor quick. This was probably the toughest team we’ll play this year. I told the girls to not worry about the score.”

In the men’s match, a similar script was followed, with Lummi Nation ahead 42-8 at the half. Lopez regrouped again in the third period and slowed the Blackhawks attack while scoring at a better pace. The game ended. 69-17. The Lobos were led by Ethan Patrick with 8 points, followed by Silas Gronley with 4; Oliver Rick, Henry Robles, and Andris Meisner also got in on the scoring. Coach Shane Patrick felt Lopez could learn a great deal by studying the Blackhawks’ play. “Lummi’s an all-around athletic and well-coached team, which kind of gives us a benchmark to shoot for. We need to apply what they did to our play. Our guys gave a good effort, but we played a really good team. We’ll work on what they did well.”

Lopez resumes play after the New Year, with a match against Providence on Jan. 4.