Lakeview finishes 10-0 in AAC National Division

February 17, 2012 at 12:05a.m.

CORTLAND

After trailing for most of Thursday’s game, the Lakeview High School girls basketball team grabbed the lead with 30 seconds remaining to defeat Newton Falls, 67-64.

“We’re a team that never gives up,” said Lakeview sophomore Allie Pavlik, who sank the field goal that gave the Bulldogs (16-4, 10-0 All-American Conference National Division) the lead.

“Most teams get discouraged, they put their shoulder down, don’t play hard, but we don’t quit,” added Pavlik, who scored 18 points to lead Lakeview.

Senior Ali Gagne, who sank a free throw for the final point of the game, netted 15 points for the Bulldogs.

“It was a complete team effort,” Gagne said. “We all came together and really played as a team tonight.”

Lakeview led 16-12 at the end of the first quarter, but Newton Falls (14-7, 7-3) grabbed a 22-20 lead in the middle of the second quarter.

The Tigers held off repeated rallies by the Bulldogs, who tied the score several times.

Newton Falls led 32-20 at halftime and 48-45 after three quarters.

After senior Cassandra Smith sank a pair of free throws to start the fourth quarter, the Tigers held a five-point margin, 50-45.

“This was a high-stakes game for us,” Lakeview coach Adam Lewis said. “Our goal was to go 10-0 in the conference, and as it got closer, the pressure mounted.”

Sophomore Brooke Barreca led Newton Falls with a game-high 29 points.

Lakeview out-rebounded Newton Falls 34-32, led by Gagne, who snared a game-high 10 missed shots.

“No disrespect to them, but I don’t feel like they beat us,” Newton Fall coach Mark Baker said. “I feel like we ran out of time.

“I feel like that was a great basketball game by both teams on both ends of the floor,” Baker said.