Finally, the long awaited District 3-2A games have arrived, and the Lakeview Lady Gators are hungry to fight for their first district title in a very long time. Ranked fifth with an 11-3 record beforehand, they are definitely the favorites. Their first game came against the Many Lady Tigers Tuesday, Jan. 19.
Many is ranked ninth in class 2A, so this was Lakeview’s first time playing back to back top 10 teams this season. The game began with Zenobia Poydras scoring the first two inside off a beautiful feed from Timberly Washington. Many got one to fall at the free throw line, followed by a layup inside.
On the next possession, Janaiya Fisher drove to the goal for a hard fought two. Lakeview got the ball again, but Many stole it and went for an easy fast break two. Many scored again, but this time it was second chance points as the Lady Gators failed to box out. Washington got her first point when she went one for two at the line on the next play. Many dropped in a free throw of their own, followed by the first three of the game from the corner.
Jameisha Fisher made her appearance in the game as she finished off the first quarter scoring five straight, all from the charity line. This was enough to give Lakeview the lead 11-10 at the end of the first.
Ten of the 27 total points in the second quarter come from the charity stripe, as the quarter was filled with fouls and back and forth action. Many outscored the Lady Gators by three in the second and came out ahead at the half, 25-23. The third quarter was completely owned by Washington and Lakeview.
Washington scored 10 of Lakeview’s 21 points in this quarter and was a major part in the other 11. Lakeview’s pressure proved to be too much for the Lady Tigers, and it showed in the third. We thought the first half had a lot of fouls, but the fourth quarter alone saw 11 trips to the line.
Lakeview led by five going into the fourth, proving too big a lead to recover from for Many. Lakeview took home their 12th win of the year with a final score of 63-54.
The three guards for Lakeview, the Fisher sisters and Washington, put up an insane 50 combined points on the night, truly showing that this team is capable to score no matter who has the ball. Lakeview will take on Winnfield as the Lady Gators look to win their sixth straight and continue their strong bid for District 3-2A champions.
