Lakers Take Sub-Regional Playoff Game Against OCC in Double OT Thriller
CANANDAIGUA – If you were in the large crowd that sat in the seats at Putt Moore Court last night for the sub-regional matchup between the home #8 Lakers and the visiting #9 Onondaga CC Lazers – you were delivered an instant classic.
With #1 Herkimer County CC awaiting the winner of Tuesday's contest in the Region III Tournament quarterfinals – the team that is set to match up with them will have to catch its breath before taking the court again this Friday (3/1). Why will they have to catch their breath? You will find that answer out as we unveil what took place last night in Canandaigua.
A game that seemed as if it was leaning towards going in the win column for Finger Lakes as regulation began to wind down, would turn out to become one of the most exciting games of the season in region III hoops.
Leading 72-69 with 33 seconds remaining on the game clock in the final half – the Lakers – with their best free throw shooter standing at the line in Richard De La Cruz – seemed like they were destined for victory.
Destined they weren't – at that moment. De La Cruz, an 84 percent free throw shooter, missed a pair of freebies from the charity stripe. After his second attempt didn't find the net, Onondaga regained possession of the ball.
The Lazers – traveling down the court – didn't waste much time to find one of their perimeter shooters. With 24 seconds left on the clock – Onondaga's Tyler Wood would discover shooting guard Adam Misener out beyond the arc by placing a pass into his hands. The pass would land in the right hands for the visitors. Misener, at that juncture, would cash a game-tying three-pointer, evening the score at 72.
The Lakers – after Misener converted on a three-point attempt – would get a chance to answer his made basket. With the ball in its hands – Finger Lakes would get several looks underneath the hoop as the clock ticked itself away towards the end of the second half. Unfortunately for the Lakers, no points would come out of the last possession of regulation.
The game – at the end of regulation – read – FLCC, 72 and Onondaga, 72.
In bonus time – Finger Lakes would put the first points on the scoreboard thanks to a Kelvin Munoz three-point bucket. Onondaga would then answer Munoz's three with a three of its own. Vaughndell Brantley, who scored a team-high 32 points in 41 minutes worth of action for the Lazers, was the individual who was credited with tying the game at 75.
After Brantley's made three-pointer, Onondaga would build itself a lead that would sustain itself until the clock had 1:04 remaining on it (in the first overtime). With the Lazers up 83-80 at that particular time in the first OT, Finger Lakes, with the rock on its side of the court, had an opportunity to cut into Onondaga's lead or better yet – it could tie the game or take the lead (if a four-point play was in the works).
The Lakers, with the ball traveling from Trevor Sanders palms to De La Cruz's – would end up tying the game at 83 at that instance as De La Cruz would convert on a three-pointer.
After De La Cruz scored three of his game-high (and career-high) 33 points to tie the game at 83 – Onondaga's Wood would get a chance to reclaim the lead for the Lazers as he stood at the free throw line after the Lakers were whistled for a foul. With exactly a minute left on the clock in the first OT, Wood would not convert on either of his free throw attempts.
Finger Lakes and Onondaga – after Wood's missed free throws – would find themselves tangled in a second overtime. After De La Cruz tied the game at 83 with his three, neither team would score in the final minute and four seconds of the first overtime.
Now entering the second overtime tied at 83 – the Lakers would decide to take the game into their own hands. They would jump out immediately offensively as De La Cruz would convert on another three. After his three was put in the books – Finger Lakes would erupt on the offensive end in the second additional five minutes. In those five minutes – it would go on to outscore the Lazers – 25-15.
Finally, an outcome would be reached. After outscoring Onondaga by ten points in the second OT – the Lakers would seize a 108-98 victory.
Finger Lakes – with the win – will be the team who matches up with Herkimer in the quarterfinals of the regionals. As mentioned – that game will take place this Friday and is slated to be held at SUNY Delhi – the site of this year's Region III Tournament. Game time tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m.
In Tuesday's double OT thriller – the Lakers registered five scorers in double figures. Following De La Cruz in the scoring column for the hosts were Will Arberry (24 points), Sean Carbonell (13 points), Munoz (13 points), and Kaleem Edwards (12 points). Edwards – in addition to his 12 points – accrued 13 rebounds and 5 blocks – both of which were game-highs.
For Onondaga, Brantley's team-high 32 points was followed by Misener's 18 points. Chipping in with 12 points in the losing effort for the Lazers was Wood.