The Lions had seven players score six or more points and three with five or more rebounds as they slowly pulled away from the Spartans at the Lakeview gym.
"We haven't played in a week so you never know but I liked how we built on the lead throughout the game," Lakeview Academy coach Seth Vining said.
Despite its 6-8 record, Lakeview showed it will be a contender in Region 8-A. The Spartans (8-6) came in undefeated against region competition.
Three of Lakeview's losses have come against top 10 teams in Class A and two against Class AAA teams Johnson and North Hall, which was ranked No. 2 at the time.
"We've played some tough teams," Vining said. "I feel that we're better than our record and that we can compete with anyone in the region."
The two teams traded four lead changes before ending the first quarter tied at 14. Athens Academy opened the second quarter with a 4-0 run and then the Lions got going.
Jake Kendrick scored all six of his points in a 14-2 Lakeview run over the final six minutes of the second quarter and the Lions never trailed again.
Kendrick also finished with five rebounds, most of those coming late in the game to help seal the victory.
"We got some easy baskets and it was good to see Jake be aggressive on the offensive end," Vining said. "I thought he played very well for us."
Lakeview's run erased an 18-14 deficit and the Lions led 28-20 at halftime. They put the game away in the third quarter outscoring the Spartans 13-7 for a 41-25 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Lakeview would lead by as many as 18 early in the final period.
Athens Academy had chances late, however, to cut into the Lakeview lead. They cut the Lions' lead 43-35 with five minutes left in the game but they missed seven free throws in the final four minutes.
Athens Academy was just 9-of-24 from the free throw line for the game. Lakeview was just 6-for-11 on free throws for the game.
Matt Askounis and Austin Pearson led Lakeview with eight points each. Jackson Wells had seven points, and Trevor Price, Austin Montgomery, Derek Fadool, and Kendrick each finished with six for the Lions. Montgomery had six rebounds and Price five for Lakeview,
Athens Academy was paced by 14 points from Kawpe Bouze and 11 points from Mark Sanders.
Jake Kendrick
http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/1/235298