TRUMBULL ATHLETIC CONFERENCE Lakeview holds off Newton Falls

The Bulldogs stayed alive in the conference title race with a 54-48 win.
By JAMIE TRINA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEWTON FALLS -- With the season winding down and tournament time approaching, Newton Falls looked to spoil Lakeview's hopes of being crowned champions of the Trumbull Athletic Conference.
After a valiant attempt, the Tigers fell short in a defensive struggle, as visiting Lakeview dropped Newton Falls 54-48 in Friday's boys basketball game.
"Games with Lakeview tend to be that way," Newton Falls coach Roy Sembach said. "It's hard to get a spurt."
The two rivals exchanged blows through the course of the first quarter, as the game remained tied, 11-11, entering the second period.
Bulldogs take command
Lakeview was the first team to gain momentum.
In the final five minutes of the half, the Bulldogs outscored the Tigers 10-4. Lakeview senior Mike Olesh's buzzer-beating 3-pointer to close the half lifted Lakeview to an eight-point lead, 26-18.
"I just feel to beat that team (Lakeview), we have to play perfect fundamental basketball," Sembach said.
The Tigers nearly did.
A stifling Tiger defense preyed on the Bulldogs' offense to begin the second half. Throughout the quarter, the Tigers pounced on every opportunity Lakeview had, holding the Bulldogs to six points.
Newton Falls' offense also helped to put the Tigers in a position for victory by narrowing the margin to 32-29 at the end of the third quarter.
"I thought we played a tough third quarter," Sembach said. "Down the stretch they hit a couple of shots, and we didn't."
The Bulldogs were quick to bite back in the fourth quarter, scoring 22 points to take control.
"That's how we always been this year," Lakeview coach Lawrence Herrholtz said. "We have learned to play the game a little bit."
McHale adds spark
Lakeview senior Jim McHale helped spark the Bulldogs with 10 fourth quarter points. Chuck Williams, Lakeview's leading scorer, added six points in the final period. Olesh finished the game with 10 points.
"I think it was our defense," Herrholtz said. "We've fed off of our defense. We haven't been finishing games, and I think our seniors finished the game for us tonight. We took a step."
Newton Falls' junior Troy Balint had a game-high 13 points.
As for Newton Falls, they continue to set their sets on being the spoiler. The Tigers' next contest is against another leader for the TAC-8 crown, LaBrae.
"Right now I consider us a very dangerous team," Sembach said.