North Tahoe’s boys basketball team once again was victim to its own lack of numbers.

Visiting Sparks (3-5) took the Lakers (0-8) down at home 55-37.

Despite a good second half effort, North Tahoe trailed the entire game.

---

---

At the end of the first quarter, Sparks led 10-5. The Lakers failed to score a basket in the second quarter and headed to the locker room down by 17 points.

“They lacked a considerable amount of composure in the first half,” head Laker coach David Hansen said of his players.

---

---

Hansen said that instead of screaming at them at halftime, he simply explained to them what their offense looked like.

Whatever it was, the Lakers came out with more precision in the second half, and put forth a decent third-quarter showing while narrowing the point spread and heading into the final quarter down 35-18.

“I was pleased with the effort in the third quarter,” Hansen said.

Lakers scoring leader Michael Forte was a monster against the Railroaders; the senior was tireless on defense and nonstop on offense.

However, with no one beside the Marple brothers ” who had 21 points combined ” contributing to Forte’s 16 points on the game, North Tahoe simply could not keep up with Sparks.

Hansen gave credit to Sparks for capitalizing on the Lakers’ inability to score, as well as Railroaders point leader Zach Quilici for frustrating North Tahoe with 17 points.

Hansen managed to find some positives after the game, including Brent Marple’s willingness to pull the trigger and earn his 14 points.

Hansen said he has been encouraging the junior to take more shots.

“I was happy with the way Brent Marple was looking for a shot,” Hansen said.

Despite having not earned a league win through the first half of the season, Hansen hasn’t given up on his small band.

“Post game I told them I still believe in them,” Hansen said. “And I do.”

North Tahoe hosts second-place Lowry (6-1) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and No. 4 Spring Creek (5-2) the following day at 3:30 p.m.