Young Lane Tech Team Bests Amundsen in Home Territory

Lane Tech guard Admir Suljic came alive in the second half to led the Indians in a 58-43 victory over Amundsen High School in Viking territory.

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Amundsen started strong on Thursday with two three-pointers and a 3-point lead after the first quarter, but Lane Tech quickly made up ground.

"When (Suljic) is struggling offensively, we can't really get our rhythm going," Lane Tech coach Nick LoGalbo said. "In the second half, we made better decisions." 

Suljic ended with 20 points on the night. Center Zach Barth chipped in a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. 

Lane Tech is a young team, the coach said. With only four seniors, LoGalbo is playing several juniors and two sophomores.

"We've had to learn how to win, and tonight was a good win," he said. 

Since Amundsen moved up a conference, the two teams hadn't faced each other in more than a decade. 

"We knew they were athletic, knew a little about their style and knew they were going to change up defenses on us," LoGalbo said. "(Amundsen coach Ryan Ward) is doing a nice job, they have a lot of athletes."

The Vikings were coming off a second-place finish in their own holiday tournament at the school. The team played five games against Ida Crown, Lake View, and Steinmetz high schools, facing Lake View in the championship. 

"We started the New Year off right," Ward said.

Kenneth King was selected for the all-tournament first team and Kinsley Nwaneshiudu made second team for the Vikings.

Lane Tech has two big conference games coming up; the Indians take on Lincoln Park High School on Tuesday and Prosser on Thursday. Both games are at home at 5 p.m.

Amundsen also plays at home on Tuesday against Taft at 5 p.m.