Thursday March 28th, 2024 9:58AM

Class A playoffs: Lakeview boys survive wild 2OT win over Wesleyan

By Jeff Hart Sports Reporter

GAINESVILLE — Rust. Nerves. Tough opposition.

All of the above.

The ingredients were there for the biggest upset in the second round of the Class A Private playoffs for the No. 2-seeded Lakeview Academy boys Thursday night.

But instead, the Lions used a Houdini-like escape to rally for a 60-58 double-overtime win over 15th-seed Wesleyan in a miraculous finish.

Lakeview Academy had not played in nearly two weeks and it was apparent most of the contest. The Lions (24-5) either trailed or were tied with the Wolves for the first 40:11 of the game, falling behind as much as 45-31 late in the third quarter. They committed 28 turnovers. They shot just eight free throws to the Wolves’ 27 -- on their home court. They did not lead until 1:49 remained in the second overtime.

Yet, when Griffin Sewell’s corner 3-pointer found the bottom of the net with 45 seconds left, it overturned all of the previous struggles.

Lakeview Academy coach Todd Cottrell wasn't able to pinpoint any one thing and had little to offer as to just how they did it exactly.

“It may have been a little of all of those. But really, I'm not sure,” an obviously exhausted Cottrell said. “The first three quarters were just horrible. I don’t know how we were still in it. But I think the guys just wanted to keep playing. They started making some plays.”

For Sewell, the game-winner was his only basket of the night.

“No hesitation,” the junior said. “I felt it was good when it left my hand. It was a tough night for us so to be able to contribute for the team like that is awesome.”

Lakeview Academy next will play host to fellow Region 8-A foe Athens Christian on Wednesday in the quarterfinals at 7 p.m. in a doubleheader with the girls, who will take on Darlington at 5:30 p.m. The Lions beat Athens Christian three times during the regular season and region tournament.

If it could go wrong for Lakeview over the first 24 minutes, it did. The Lions started slow and trailed 19-10 after the first quarter. They closed to within 31-26 by halftime but 12 first half turnovers and a rugged Wesleyan defense kept them at bay.

The Wolves used a 14-5 run to open the third quarter to take its biggest lead and looked poised to knock off the No. 2 overall seed. But Drew Cottrell, Tre Gober, and Josh Randolph finally got untracked.

Randolph capped a 7-2 run and back-to-back 3-pointers by Cottrell pulled Lakeview within 49-46 with 5:28 left in the fourth quarter. The Lakeview defense also clamped down, holding the Wolves to just five fourth quarter points. A Gober layup off a nice pass from Evan Pitts with 20 seconds left sent it into overtime tied at 52-52.

The first overtime was dominated by sloppy play and turnovers from both teams. After three free throws by Wesleyan, Gober connected on a 3-pointer to tie the game at 55-55 and send it to a second overtime.

After another Wesleyan free throw, Gober gave Lakeview its first lead at 57-56 on a layup with 1:49 left. The Wolves reclaimed the lead 58-57 on a layup following a Lakeview turnover moments later.

Following a frantic possession Sewell drained the game-winner, and the Lions did not allow Wesleyan to get a shot off in the waning seconds, preserving the win.

“Wesleyan is much tougher than their record indicates,” Cottrell said. “They play in a tough region and are very disciplined. But hopefully we’ve gotten our bad game out of the way. We’re fortunate to be moving on.”

Sewell said Lions players understand their position.

“It’s nice to win. But we’re going to need to step it up a bit from here on out,” he said.

Gober, who also celebrated his 18th birthday, paced Lakeview with 26 points, nine coming in the fourth quarter and overtime periods. Drew Cottrell poured in 16 points, including four 3-pointers, and reached the 1,000 career point plateau. Josh Randolph added 12 rebounds for the Lions.

Wesleyan (17-12) was led by Christian McLean with 19 points. However, he was held to just one free throw in the fourth quarter and overtime periods. Grant Summers chipped in 12 points for the Wolves. Wesleyan hit just 14-of-27 free throws for the game.

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