Tranika Randolph wasn’t there when Lake Station lost to Crown Point by 48 points in January 2021 and by 55 points in December 2021.
The Bishop Noll transfer was present Thursday night when the Eagles quickly fell behind 28-5 in the second quarter at Crown Point. But Randolph wasn’t going to settle for a blowout loss.
“We wanted to get it out of our head and take all the negative out,” she said. “We knew we could come back and play well.”
Lake Station did rally this time. Randolph, a 5-foot-7 senior guard who finished with 23 points, nine rebounds and two steals, helped the Eagles soar back in the fourth quarter before Crown Point recovered to win 60-49.
Randolph had 16 points in the second half, including a 13-point, four-rebound outburst in the final eight minutes.
“I think you saw what she can bring to the table,” senior guard Nasiya Gause said. “She’s aggressive and can play great defense all around. She talks a lot out there, and she keeps us together.”
Gause added 14 points, five rebounds and three steals for Lake Station (6-2), which had a four-game winning streak snapped. Junior guard Ava Ziolkowski scored 23 of her 31 points in the first half for the Bulldogs (8-4).
Randolph’s family — which includes her twin brother, Travis, who plays football and basketball — moved to Lake Station this year. But she said she felt right at home immediately.
“We’ve known her and have been playing with her since we were little,” Gause said. “We played travel ball together, and she fits in with the rest of us. She loves us.”
Randolph agreed.
“I love the way this team bonds together,” she said. “We talk, and there’s not too much negativity. We all come together, and we’re positive.”
Randolph also said she appreciates Gause for leading the team and making her feel welcome.
“She brings positivity when we’re down,” Randolph said. “She’s always there to pick us up. She’s there for motivation.”
In her short tenure with the Eagles, Randolph seems to do her best work against Class 4A opponents. She scored 22 points in a loss against Hobart in November.
Lake Station assistant Ulrick Moore — filling in for coach Ruby Chabes, who was out with an illness — said having their 2A team playing up a couple of classes will help in the long run.
“It’s a loss, and we have a lot of work to do,” Moore said. “But this game showed they are tough. They came through adversity in front of a somewhat hostile crowd. We’re proud with how they came back and put up a fight. That’s what you want.”
The Eagles, who have wins against Westville (1A), South Bend St. Joseph (3A), Illiana Christian (2A), North Newton (2A), Griffith (3A) and Morton (4A), hope to keep fighting and winning against future 2A competition.
“We want to go far in the tournament and prove some people wrong,” Randolph said.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.