Keith Green and his Auburn Mountainview basketball teammates can cross a big item off their bucket list: they finally beat Lakes.
Green scored 12 points, including the go-ahead basket in the final minute to help the Lions to a 49-45 victory on Tuesday in Lakewood.
“That’s the first time we’ve ever beat Lakes,” said Green, a senior. “We’re trying to win a league championship, the first-ever for our school.”
The win brought the goal a bit closer. Auburn Mountainview moved into sole possession of first place in the South Puget Sound League’s 3A Division. The Lions are 3-0 and the only remaining undefeated team.
“This is my first year, but the kids say this is the first time they’ve beaten Lakes in football or basketball, anywhere,” coach Terry Johnson said. “The kids are pretty excited, especially the seniors.”
It wasn’t without drama. The Lions held an 11-point lead twice, including a 37-26 lead early in the fourth quarter before Lakes finally found itself on both ends of the floor.
The Lancers went on a 16-3 scoring run, taking a 42-40 lead on Diondre Worthy’s scoop-in and subsequent free throw with 1 minute, 59 seconds remaining.
Green made his go-ahead basket at the 1:04 mark, hitting a driving layup while falling to the ground and drawing a foul. He calmly hit the free throw for a 45-43 lead.
Green and fellow senior JJ Lacey combined to go 7-for-8 from the free throw line in the final two minutes. Domenic Rockey scored 15 points to lead the Lions.
Auburn Mountainview (9-3) was able to keep the score down, preventing Lakes from getting out and running until the fourth quarter. Johnson said that wasn’t really by design.
“Holding them to 45 points, that’s going to give you a chance to win a lot of games,” Johnson said.
Lakes (8-5, 2-1 SPSL 3A) fell into second place. The Lancers were lead by seniors Taron Rogers and Jordan Johnson, who each scored nine points.
The two teams will meet again in Auburn on Jan. 25 in a game that could determine the league champion.
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