TAC-8 Bulldogs subdue Leopards to go 7-0

Kevin Rigby's goal with about 10 seconds left lifted Lakeview to victory over Liberty.
By DOUG CHAPIN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CORTLAND -- Lakeview High stayed unbeaten through seven games, four in the Trumbull Athletic Conference, posting a 62-60 win over Liberty Friday in a well-played boys basketball game.
"That was just a great high school basketball game," Lakeview coach Larry Herrholtz said. "It was an outstanding game for the fans, it was fun to be in, it was fun to coach in. The Liberty kids were outstanding.
"It was what high school basketball, what the TAC-8, is all about. It really was a shame someone had to lose."
Lakeview went ahead for good 61-60 when senior Kevin Rigby scored on a 5-foot bank shot from the right side of the key with about 10 seconds left. Liberty point guard Joe Lopez then missed a similar shot in traffic at the other end.
Ellens adds point, rebound
The Bulldogs' Jeff Ellens was fouled while rebounding Lopez's miss, and made the first of two free throws with 2.5 seconds on the clock. Ellens clinched the victory by controlling the long rebound after he missed the second foul shot.
"We told Joe to penetrate and take the shot or kick it out," Liberty coach Burt Stellers said. "I don't know if you could ask for a better shot, it just didn't go in. Joe's a three-year starter and makes good decisions. I'd put the ball in his hands again in that situation."
Rigby's game-winning shot developed after the Bulldogs worked the ball patiently from the 37-second mark. That's when Liberty's Joel Marshall sank three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt. Those shots gave the Leopards their final lead, 60-59.
"We told the kids before that final possession to make sure they remain calm and, because Liberty was trapping, to make sure we came to meet the pass," Herrholtz said. "In our motion offense, anyone can make a play if they see an opening as long as they play within their game."
The contest had two very distinct halves. The first half was a track meet in which Liberty twice held nine-point leads, 25-16 early in the second quarter and 34-25 with 3:39 left in the half. But a 12-5 run by the Bulldogs left the halftime score 39-37 in Liberty's favor.
Lakeview tied the game in the first minute of the third quarter and the score still was knotted at 47 heading into the final eight minutes. The home team took control early in the final quarter, opening a 57-49 advantage with 5:03 to play. Lakeview led 59-54 with two minutes left, but Bradley Fletcher, who scored a game-high 20 points, sank a 3-pointer to pull the Leopards within two.
Marshall his 3 FTs
Lakeview missed the front end of two one-and-one situations, and Liberty went back ahead when Marshall made his three free throws, setting the stage for Rigby's heroics.
"Our December schedule has been brutal," Stellers said of the Leopards, who are 4-2 overall and 2-2 in the TAC. "I'd rather be 6-0, but we're pleased getting out of December with a 4-2 record. We're pleased with our progress. We lost to an outstanding team here tonight."
Marshall backed Fletcher with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Lopez contributed seven points and seven assists. DeShawn Crenshaw also provided offense with 12 points. He and Fletcher both sank a trio of 3-pointers.
Matt Nero made four 3-pointers to lead the balanced Lakeview attack with 12 points. Ellens and Brandon Bakker each had 10 and Rigby added eight. Ellens, a point guard, led the way on the boards with 10 rebounds and he also had five assists.