Trailing by nine at halftime, the Lake Highlands boys basketball team appeared overmatched in its season opener with Plano West.
Then came the second half.
LH outscored Plano West 44-30 in the final two quarters to achieve a 62-57 win. LH was held to 18 points in the first half while contending with Plano West’s height, but turned the game around with pressure defense in the second half.
"We threw a couple of things at them defensively," coach Rob Wylie said. "Sometimes that’s hit or miss. You get them to make one turnover, sometimes they’ll make several more unit they figure it out."
Aaron Mazibuko led LH with 15 points followed by Tevin Elmore with 13 and Sean McCary with 12.
LH pulled within two of the lead, 41-39, after three quarters. James Preston, who scored nine points, tied the game at 51-51 with a 3-pointer, then gave LH a 53-51 lead on a layup with 2:33 left.
McCary hit a big 3-pointer with 2:13 left to maintain a 56-51 lead. Elmore scored with 1:30 left for a 58-53 lead.
LH showed poise down the stretch in milking the clock and keeping Plano West from getting extra possessions. Demarcus Bernard, Preston and Elmore all hit free throws in the final 1:06 to seal the win.
"We’re definitely a transition team," Wylie said. "That’s where we’ve got to get our points until we get better in halfcourt offense."
