Senior Chris Silveus hopes to take the Cougars deep into this year’s sectional at Hamilton High School. (File photo by Mike Deak)

WINONA LAKE – At tournament time, it is all about which teams can get hot.

Any given team on any given day can pull an upset and turn around its season.

The Lakeland Christian Academy boys basketball team hopes it can be one of those teams.

The Cougars finished the season 3-18 but are currently riding a two-game win streak. LCA defeated Howe 48-32 (Feb. 25) and South Bend Career Academy 47-28 (Feb. 28) to close out its regular season.

One reason for the win streak has been two of LCA’s key players playing in their final season for the Cougars, seniors Chris Silveus and Cody Kline.

Silveus leads the team in both scoring (13 points-per-game) and rebounding (five rpg.). The senior presence from both players has been a huge boost to the team this season according to head coach Joel Burrus.

“Chris and Cody have have been great leaders for us all season,” Burrus said of his outstanding pair. “They both work extremely hard and they want to make some noise in this tournament. They have helped get this program moving in the right direction.”

Burrus also talked about how he has been impressed with the play of his younger players.

Jon Harmon, a sophomore, has been one underclassmen that has shown his potential throughout the season. In the season finale against SBCA Harmon scored a career high 17 points to help get the win for his team.

LCA, which enters just its second year as an IHSAA postseason member, will see a familiar foe in its sectional opener. The Cougars will take on Lakewood Park (10-10) on Tuesday night. The Panthers defeated LCA 66-42 back on Feb. 7.

Burrus says the the game is winnable for his team but his team will have to step up its play.

“Lakewood Park is a great team that plays a really tough schedule,” said Burrus of his opponent. “They are very quick and pose a lot of problems with their diamond pressure package. If we want to be in a position to win the game in the fourth quarter we have to beat their press. The first five minutes of the game are key for us. If we can withstand their press the first five minutes we will be in good shape.

“The two game winning streak has been a huge confidence booster for our team. We are playing our best basketball at the perfect time. We have improved defensively and rebounding a ton the past month. We are going to have a good game plan ready for Lakewood Park.”

Elkhart Christian Academy, which sports a 16-4 record, is the clear-cut favorite in the Hamilton Sectional and the Cougars would have to worry about facing ECA but Burrus did talk about Class 1A’s No. 4 team.

“Elkhart Christian is a clear favorite,” said Burrus.  “They pose major problems for anyone in the tournament. They are big and strong at every position and they guard extremely well in the half court. Offensively everyone can step outside and shoot. And they all have great attack games to the rim.”

Elkhart Christian, which went 6-0 versus the sectional field this season, is seeking its first-ever sectional championship. The Eagles face Bethany Christian (3-17) Wednesday. Elkhart Christian defeated the Bruins, who have lost 13 in a row, by 54 points and 29 points in two meetings during the regular season.

LCA will tip Tuesday night against Lakewood Park at 7 p.m. at Hamilton High School. The winner will take on Hamilton (5-14) at 6 p.m. on Friday. The winner of the Hamilton Sectional will travel to Bourbon on Saturday, March 15 for the Triton Regional.