Area Female Athlete: Record-breaker Lane getting more attention on court

One down and one to go for Olivia Lane.

During a 62-41 Mid-State Conference victory over Staples-Motley Jan. 4, Lane secured 18 rebounds to become the all-time leading rebounder in Pequot Lakes girls basketball history.

Lane broke Teresa Parker's career mark of 1,297 rebounds. Friday's total pushed Lane to 1,299 rebounds. The Patriots celebrated the feat Friday, Jan. 11, during a home game against Roseau.

"I knew about it before the season so it was a goal of mine to beat that record," Lane said.

Lane, 6-foot-1 post, said the key to rebounding is positioning.

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Olivia Lane

• Year: Senior
• School: Pequot Lakes
• Sport: Basketball
• Position: Forward
• Highlights: Finished with 30 points and 18 rebounds against Staples-Motley

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"It's all about position so I try to get myself into the best position I can and make sure I jump high enough to get the rebound, like at the peak when the ball gets off the glass," Lane said. "Sometimes it's harder because I'm not as bulky as some posts so it differently makes me use more speed to get rebounds against posts that are bigger than me."

Lane has 130 rebounds through Pequot's first 10 games. Last season, she corralled 386 boards to lead the area. In a 41-35 loss to Aitkin Jan. 8, Lane grabbed 10 more boards to put her career total to 1,309. She added 12 points in the loss.

"Most teams, as she's getting older, are keying in on her and she's getting a lot more attention from most of the defenders," said Pequot Lakes head coach Katrina Moody. "Last year, was a little bit easier because we had Karli Skog and a little bit more balanced scoring. This year, as a senior, she's realizing she's drawing a lot more attention and that requires her to not dribble in the lane. She's doing a lot better with that.

"We still have to keep going, but she is doing better."

This season, Lane has 209 points on 52.9 percent (83-157) shooting. She's hitting 74.5 percent of her free throws. She's collected 18 assists, 21 steals, 13 blocked shots, and 15 deflections

"It's definitely a change because Karli was another threat to either drive or shoot," Lane said. "Just getting used to finding different roles in the team, that's just something this year we're trying to figure out.

"My role as a leader has definitely expanded. We have two seniors on the team, Kenzie Nelson, and me. We have a bunch of younger girls looking up to us. I just try and keep a positive attitude as a leader."

But Lane feels the pressure of being the focal point of every defense Pequot plays against. The future University of North Dakota player said basketball has turned into more of a mental game for her, and Moody sees much improvement in that category.

"She's realizing that if we're going to win a game, she needs to be on the floor," Moody said. "Some of those stupid fouls she used to get aren't there as much and knowing when to take a good shot if we're down by two, she's getting to be a smarter player knowing the game and knowing situational things. That I've seen an improvement and I've seen that improve with all the girls."

Last season she averaged 22.1 points, 1.7 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.0 blocks to go with her 13.4 rebounds per game. Those numbers attracted a lot of attention, even from Breakdown Sports USA, which considered Lane a preseason Minnesota Miss Basketball candidate.

But Lane and Moody are more concerned about the Patriots.

"She gets frustrated just because of all that attention she's getting and trying to make things more difficult," Moody said. "I feel like any player with her skill level and past, they've felt that their senior year."

Lane's next likely personal goal-the Patriots' all-time scoring record. That mark is held by Emily Lueck and her 2,174 points. Lane has 1,904 points before Friday's game with Roseau.

Other notable performances

Basketball: Kaija Davies, Aitkin, finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds against Moose Lake-Willow River.

Shyanne Loiland, Crosby-Ironton, finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds and seven steals against Park Rapids.

Hockey: Kylee Hopp, Prairie Centre, finished with five goals and two assists against Morris-Benson.