Peninsula junior Linsey Lovrovich growing in expanded scoring role

It has been a year of growth for Linsey Lovrovich who has worked to improve her game and overcome a mid season flu to help set her team on the path to what they hope is a strong state run.

The most recent culmination of these efforts was a 50-33 win over rival Gig Harbor that was the team’s fourth win in a row. The win was a significant one for the team after they had narrowly lost their previous game last month 37-33.

“We were healthy. The first time against them, Linsey and Piper both had the flu,” coach Mike Schick said. “Linsey did well. They keyed in quite a bit on her, stopping her attacking. She didn’t put up all that huge of numbers.”

Even as Lovrovich was targeted by the defense, she was able to set up her teammates for a big night.

“I just had to attack the basket and then dish it out to my teammates,” Lovrovich said.

Lovrovich would finish the night with nine points, seven rebounds, and two assists.

“They were running multiple girls at her. Anytime she went into the lane, a lot of help was coming. She didn’t have a lot of good clean looks at the basket,” Schick said. “Piper went up for twenty five and a lot of that we credit to Linsey being able to attack and put so much pressure on the defense.”

Lovrovich has high hopes that she and the team will be able to build off this win as they look to make a run at state.

“Of course, our hopes are to make it to state. Coach keeps telling us, no matter who we play, number one seed or anything, he just has hopes that we’ll win,” Lovrovich said. “He thinks that we can do it and we do too.”

That sentiment was echoed succinctly by Schick.

“I like our chances in the playoffs. We definitely respect other teams but we’re not afraid of anybody,” Schick said.

What will it take to get there?

“I need to keep shooting. When I miss, I just tend to stop shooting,” Lovrovich said. “I just need to keep shooting and attacking the basket.”

Not only is there an emphasis on continuing to shoot, but also going up strong even when challenged by the defense.

“I definitely need to be more physical,” Lovrovich said. “Attacking the basket I go too soft and I always try to avoid contact. I just need to go through it and get to the free throw line and hopefully make free throws that I’ve been working on.”

The team has been putting an emphasis on defense and that is something Schick has identified as something Lovrovich can improve upon even as she has set herself for many big blocks.

“It definitely is one aspect of her game that she can get better at. She is one of those players that relies on her athleticism,” Schick said. “She’ll play soft defense and then once they get into the key and go up for a shot, she will just smack it because she can jump so high.”

Lovrovich has seen the emphasis on defense and been able to get better at rebounding.

“He’s made a big emphasis on defense this year,” Lovrovich said. “I was on the top of the zone because I couldn’t rebound down low. Now I actually go in and try to get those rebounds. That has been an improvement.”

This improvement in rebounding has helped the team transition quickly from offense to defense.

“She has been rebounding really well of late which is awesome because she can get that ball and even take it from baseline to baseline and beat most of her teammates and opponents down the court with her speed,” Schick said. “It is a nice little jump start to our fast break having her be able to rebound more aggressively this year especially in the second half of this year.”

Schick hopes to see her continue to grow beyond this season into her senior year.

“She has opportunities to take over games and put the team on her back at any given time. What we’re hoping for this summer is to have her mindset change,” Schick said. “She is the best player most of the time on the court.”

Lovrovich has some ambitious goals of her own especially when it comes to scoring.

“I just hope to be able to score more,” Lovrovich said.

How much is more? Lovrovich said she wants to score 1,000 points combined between this year and next.

“We have to average almost 17 points per game both this year and next year,” Lovrovich said. “That would be a cool goal.”

Beyond that, she has some idea of her post high school plans as well.

“I want to play college, I just haven’t put any thought or effort into it yet,” Lovrovich said. “I want to stay on the west coast. Somewhere close, I don’t want to go too far.”

No matter where she goes, she will be sure to bring a competitive spirit and love of the game.

“The thing about Linsey is no moment is too big for her. It could be an easy game, a tough game. She takes it the same,” Schick said. “She is a really goofy kid which makes it nice. She’s always got a smile on her face.”

This story was originally published February 11, 2020 at 6:00 AM.