Hobbs leads L.C. over Portage in boys hoops

BY RYAN METZ

Times Correspondent

ST. JOHN | After drawing his fourth foul with 1:11 remaining in the third quarter Tuesday night, Lake Central center Leith Hobbs was substituted out of the game. He was met at the bench with standing support from his teammates acknowledging his assertive effort.

The 6-foot-9 senior was supported between the baselines with plenty of feeds deep in the post, and he took advantage, pacing the Indians with 20 points in the 81-63 trouncing over Portage in the Duneland conference tilt.

Hobbs' sturdy play inside was demonstrated with altering Portage shots that came into the lane and forcing the Red Indians to play on perimeter where they struggled shooting. Hobbs also finished with six rebounds.

"The whole week the coach was yelling at the guards for getting me (the ball), and I had to work for position and I thank them for (getting the ball back to me)," Hobbs said. "We have a lot of potential scorers, and we are really starting to get our chemistry down."

The Blue Indians jumped to a 15-point lead after the first quarter and increased it to 41-19 at halftime.

"Our kids reaped the rewards of getting the ball inside when they started doubling (Hobbs)," Lake Central coach Dave Milausnic said. "We have a post presence and it's great to see."

Lake Central senior guard Keith Thompson had 19 points along with seven rebounds and five assists for L.C. (4-3). Glenn Robinson Jr. and Jahhim Easter had 19 and 12 points, respectively.

"He's been playing tough all year, and we just haven't been getting him the ball," Thompson said of Hobbs. "It opened everything else for us, and we're going to be the real deal the second time around in the DAC."

Portage (2-9) was led by Lawrence Jones' 12 points, while Dominique Walton finished with 11.

"They were better than us and they had some big kids who did a good job inside, Portage coach Rick Snodgrass said. "Once they got the big lead, it's hard for our team to come back because we're not an explosive offense."

Published in the Northwest Indiana Times on Dec. 30, 2009.