In the preseason, Chichester's first-year basketball coach Bill Fagan told me to keep an eye on junior Laquan Lambert. When I asked why, Fagan laughed.

"Because he's got heart," Fagan said. "Laquan plays for our football team ... and we don't win much. But he's the one who's at practice every day. He's a leader. He can inspire a group."

And that's why, this basketball season, Laquan Lambert is being looked upon as the lynchpin for a successful campaign.

In Chichester's 55-50 win over Sun Valley Tuesday night, Lambert might not have been the Eagles' leading scorer ... or second-leading scorer. (He finished with nine points.) But the 6-1 forward played bigger than his size. He routinely looked as if he was plucking quarters off the rim, on his way to collecting 10 rebounds (six offensive).

A 4.0 student, according to Fagan, Lambert represents what little size Chi has. Aside from 6-10 center Casey Burke, Lambert is it. Beyond his play, Lambert is hoping to lend something else to the Eagles' efforts this season.

"Football is a sport that's all about teamwork - a group of people working together at the same time," Lambert said after Chi's win. "That's what we want here. We want teamwork."

The Eagles certainly had that Tuesday, in beating the neighborhood rival Vanguards. For more on the game, check out Wednesday's Daily Times.