Tuesday March 19th, 2024 2:36AM

8-A Tournament: Lakeview boys and girls surge to region championships

ATHENS — Four months ago Todd Cottrell and John Carrick knew they had plenty of potential on their hands.

On Saturday night some of that potential became reality, as the Lakeview Academy boys and girls basketball teams each clinched Region 8-A titles in Athens.

The Lady Lions weathered a rough night shooting come from behind in a 47-41 win over Athens Christian, while the Lions exploded out of the gates and burned hot throughout in a 71-44 win over Hebron Christian.

The wins represented Lakeview's first girls region crown since 2005 and the first boys region title since 2008. 

LAKEVIEW ACADEMY GIRLS 47
ATHENS CHRISTIAN 41

The Lady Lions (22-6) overcame 15 percent shooting in the first half with lcokdown defense in the second.

After trailing 25-19 at the interval, Lakeview clamped down on Athens Christian, allowing just nine points while warming up with 18 of their own to jump ahead 37-34.

Then the Lady Lions opted to slow the game down -- a risky ploy but one that worked, as the Lady Lions forced Athens Christian to start fouling. Lakeview responded by drilling the enusing free throws, including a 9 of 10 performance at the stripe from leading scorer Hannah Grogan.

"I gambled, but it worked," Lady Lions coach John Carrick said. "Really this win was a testament to our defense though.

"I saw a toughness out of my kids tonight that I hadn't seen in my previous six years at Lakeview. They just refused to lose." 

Grogan finished with 18 points, including three 3-pointers, while Ryann Moody added 10 points and Christen Copeland seven, as the Lady Lions notched their first region crown in 11 years.

"I'd love for our kids to experience more," said Carrick, whose team moves on to the Class A private bracket, which will begin play next weekend against an opponent to be determined. "A lot depends on the draw of course. But I believe they're capable, so why stop now."

LAKEVIEW ACADEMY BOYS 71, 
HEBRON CHRISTIAN 44 

If there was any trepidation about trying to beat an opponent for a third time this season it went out the window quickly, as the Lions (24-4) pounced on an early lead and stormed to their first region crown in eight years and a school recrord for wins in a season.

"I'm really proud of the guys," said Lakeview coach Todd Cottrell, who won a region crown with his third program located in Hall County (including Flowery Branch and Gainesville). "Our defense was as good as it has been all year. They really played some great basketball on a big stage when it counted."

Josh Randolph paced Lakeview with 15 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, while Tre Gober added 15 points, as the Lions swept the season series with Hebron. Drew Cottrell also put up 14 points, seven assist and five steals, and Carter Reeves scored 13 and grabbed 10 rebounds. Daniel Fadool also grabbed eight rebounds and provided seven assists.

"I think we've gotten better and better over the season," Cottrell said. "We had some big wins early, like over East Hall. And we played Greater Atlanta Christian tough, and then we found a way to win some close ones. And these guys have worked for each other and believed. And they've sacrificed, and they have something to be proud of."

The Lions will take on an opponent to be determined in the first round of the Class A private playoffs next weekend. 

"We're playing some good basketball right now, and we've been resilient and tough, but we'll see what happens," Cottrell said. "We're going to go out and give it our best."

  • Associated Categories: Sports, High School Sports
  • Associated Tags: High school basketball, Lakeview boys basketball, Lakeview girls basketball
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