Lewis-Palmer's Robinson, DeLange lead scoring as Rangers beat Discovery Canyon 78-46
Jan. 26—Just from watching Eli Robinson and Luke DeLange share the hardwood, one would think they have played together for over a decade.
Despite being teammates for only two years, their chemistry has allowed the Rangers to assert dominance in the paint and win games. That duo was pivotal on Thursday, combining for 42 points and helping Lewis-Palmer defeat Discovery Canyon 78-46.
"We're pretty close on and off the court, and we know each other's games," Robinson said. "We work hard and build each other's chemistry up. Luke was open."
Robinson, a senior and Air Force commit, moved to Lewis-Palmer from Qatar — where his father was stationed in the military — before his junior year. But it didn't take long for him to connect with teammates and others at the school.
"He just came in and was friendly as soon as he moved here," said DeLange, a senior committed to play football at Briar Cliff University. "We knew that he was a good ball player, and we just took him under our wings. I trust him with a lot of things."
Robinson and DeLange play complementary styles.
A 6-foot-6 forward, Robinson thrives in the paint but often wanders to the perimeter. DeLange, a 6-foot-4 post, operates mainly down low, where Robinson often feeds him.
Robinson found DeLange on a handful of entry passes on Thursday, while DeLange returned the favor and found an open Robinson often.
"He's such a good passer, and when teams tend to double team him, I know where to cut and where to go," Delange said. "I always find him, and we just complement each other.
"I love to see him succeed. He loves to see me succeed."
Robinson finished the game with 22 points, while DeLange scored 20.
Those two were the leading scorers, but it was far from a two-man effort. Cohen Edmondson chipped in with 12 points, while six other Rangers scored.
Strong transition defense was key to Lewis-Palmer's well-spread effort.
"Let's not let them set up and let them do what they want to," Lewis-Palmer coach Bill Benton said. "We want to set the tempo and the pace, so our defense can create offense."
For Discovery Canyon, Aiden Pretchel led the Thunder with 12 points.
The Thunder kept within reach for most of the game, trailing 37-26 at halftime. But L-P's defense didn't give them much breathing room in the second half, as the Rangers coasted to their 32-point win.
Discovery Canyon is 10-7 overall following the loss.
As for Lewis-Palmer, the Rangers are 13-5 and have won five in a row. They entered the week ranked No. 4 in the Class 5A and will look to extend their winning streak against Air Academy on Wednesday.
For Lewis-Palmer to continue its winning streak, Benton knows he will need to see the chemistry between Robinson and DeLange — and the entire team — execute like it did on Thursday.
"We're more than a two-man team; we're more than a three-man team," Benton said. "There are 14 guys that are in the coaches' ears. It takes all of us, and our guys are buying into that."
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