Lakeland High School’s basketball teams both lost their season openers to Western Branch High School on Tuesday.

The Cavs hosted the Bruins, while the Lady Cavs traveled to Western Branch. The Cavs were defeated 79-43. Keontae Boyette led the way for Lakeland with 21 points.

Coach Clint Wright commended his team on its efforts.

“I felt really good about our competitive spirit,” Wright said. “I’m not disgruntled by our performance. The things we didn’t do right are correctable errors.”

Lakeland’s boys’ basketball team is young, with the majority of the players not having seen significant varsity time last season. The Cavs want to improve contesting shots and boxing out in a proper manner before Fridays’ game.

The Lady Cavs were defeated by the Lady Bruins 59-39. They played with only seven players due to injury to power forward Alasia Lee. Losing her early opened up the paint for second-chance shots and easy put-backs.

“Western Branch is a tough team to beat,” Lady Cavs coach Brandey Blunt said. “I thought my girls put up a fight.”

Kayla Barnes led the way with 29 points, nine rebounds and four steals. Deja Freeman had two points, eight rebounds and nine blocks.

Both teams are back in action Friday against Oscar Smith. The boys will be at Oscar Smith, while the girls will play at home. Both games start at 7 p.m.