It was a heartbreaker for the LH boys basketball team on Tuesday night at Plano East. For the second time this season, the Wildcats lost to Garland Lakeview Centennial by two points, 84-82. This time it was in a bi-district playoff match that ended LH’s season.
Although Lakeview is ranked No. 1 in the area and No. 3 in the state, it was apparent from the start that LH wasn’t going to be another easy victim for the Patriots. The Wildcats, who finished fourth in District 9-5A, led 23-18 after the first quarter.
Lakeview scored the first seven points of the second quarter and held LH scoreless until 3:44 left in the half. The Patriots led, 36-32, at halftime.
Lakeview came out strong in the third quarter, going on a 19-2 run. At one point midway through the period, LH trailed by 23 points. However, the Wildcats never quit fighting and trailed by 13 to begin the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats started the final period with a 13-5 run and eventually cut the lead to two points, 78-76, with 1:34 to go on a Ricky Zorn layup. David Harris hit a pair of 3-pointers in the final minute and Lakeview’s lead was down to one point, 83-82, with 29 seconds left.
After a Lakeview free throw with 22 seconds left, LH had trouble getting an open shot. The Cats’ final try missed and Lakeview got the rebound with one second left, ending LH’s comeback.
Zorn led all scorers with 25 points and Harris added another 12. Tevin Elmore pulled down a team-high six rebounds.
