With just under two weeks left in the Troy recreation basketball season, coaches are focused on making a lasting impact on their players as the season draws to a close.

For leagues like the 8-under league, the young players must learn the fundamentals now in order to have success.

Some of those fundamentals were on display Tuesday when the Lakers defeated the Spurs 15-2.

The Lakers jumped out to a big lead behind 12 first-quarter points from Braxton McGhee to take a 12-0 lead.

McGhee scored again in the second quarter, coupled with a made free throw from Aaron Kelly to put the Lakers up 15-0 and enable them to cruise to victory.

The Spurs’ only two points came from Amaghie Lampley, who knocked down two free throws in the second quarter.

Lakers coach Darius Carlisle said the win was a sign of his team’s improvement over the course of the season.

“We started off our first couple games kind of shaky, but since then, we have really found our chemistry and started playing a lot better,” Carlisle said.

Spurs coach Charles Wilson said his team is also improving, despite its lack of production Tuesday.

“It’s going good and they’re getting better,” Wilson said. “This is all our kids’ first year playing, so for the most part, they’re learning real good.”

In rec leagues, however, teaching kids how to play the game is more important than wins and losses.

On that front, the Lakers have shown plenty of fundamental improvement.

“Our kids are very improved,” Carlisle said. “They’re learning the 2-3 defense and they’re getting their rotations down, so I would say they’re very smart kids.”

Alvin Johnson, the Spurs’ assistant coach has also seen plenty of hard work from the Spurs.

“They’ve come a long way since the beginning of the season when they didn’t know the basics,” Johnson said. “Fundamentally, they’ve gotten better from the very first time we stepped on the court for practice up until now.”

The Lakers will be back in action Saturday at 9 a.m. against the Celtics on recreation court 1. The Spurs return to the court Monday at 5:30, also against the Celtics on recreation court 1