ATLANTA — A state semifinalists a year ago, the Lakeview Academy boys could not find the same magic in 2018.
The Lions' season came to an end Thursday night in the Class A Private second round, falling 73-66 to Holy Innocents on the road.
Lakeview (21-8) got balanced scoring with four players in double figures. But the defense could not slow down a potent Holy Innocents offense that managed the most points against the Lions since East Hall dropped 75 on them in the Lanierland Tournament in December.
Drew Cottrell paced Lakeview with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Adam Cottrell added 14 points, Blake McIntyre scored 11 points and provided 7 assists, and Evan Pitts chipped in 10 points for the Lions.
Lakeview's seniors end their careers with some impressive records, including a 52-game region win streak, and 88 overall victories -- a mark that makes them the winningest senior class in Lions history.
LAFAYETTE BOYS 53,
JEFFERSON 51
The longest playoff run for the Dragons since 2012 came to a gut-wrenching end on the road in Class 4A.
It was a back-and-forth affair most of the way with Lafayette taking the lead late. Jefferson had a late chance to tie or win it but a shot at the buzzer missed, sending the Dragons home in the second round.
It may be just the beginning for a young Jefferson squad, however, which improved from just four wins in 2016-17 to 18 wins in 2017-18.
Jasper Gibson paced the Dragons with 15 points. Jacob Radaker and Daniel Parker each poured in 10 points and Donsha Gaither added 8 points for Jefferson. All four are sophomores.
LITHONIA BOYS 52,
FLOWERY BRANCH 39 OT
Lithonia outscored the Falcons 16-3 in the extra frame to pull away for a second round win in Class 5A action.
Flowery Branch had a 36-34 lead with 38 seconds left but Lithonia scored with 10 seconds remaining to send it to overtime. The Falcons trailed 21-16 in a low-scoring first half but used a 10-3 third quarter to take the lead.
Justin Quick had 12 points and 8 rebounds to pace Flowery Branch.
Joey Nidoy had 7 points and 7 rebounds, Myles Janess added 6 points and 5 rebounds, Lutumba Patsheko had 5 points, and Blake Coxworth chipped in with 9 rebounds for the Falcons.
LOVETT GIRLS 58,
EAST HALL 39
The Lady Vikings could not overcome a 3-point second quarter as they fell to the Lady Lions in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs.
Offense proved tough to find on Thursday. Senior sharp-shooter Carly Winters managed just 9 points to lead East Hall in her final high school game. Tessa Rider had 7 points and Maggie Griffin and Jenny Lopez had just 6 points each.
East Hall trailed 17-10 after the first quarter but scored just 14 total points in the second and third quarters as Lovett raced out to a 43-24 lead heading into the final period.
The Lady Vikings never recovered.
CEDAR GROVE BOYS 64,
DAWSON COUNTY 52
The Tigers runs in Class 3A ended in a loss on the road.
Cullen Reed poured in 18 points to lead Dawson County. Jeremiah Crumley added 13 points and Ryan Gallenkamp had 12 points for the Tigers.
