Lake lines up win for Neuqua Valley

The boys basketball game was truly on the line when Ryan Lake toed the free-throw line in the last minute of the Hoops for Healing Thanksgiving Tournament game at Oswego on Tuesday night.

But the Neuqua Valley senior calmly sank all four of his free-throw attempts in the last minute to seal the Wildcats' 49-44 victory over host Oswego.

"It's definitely nerve-wracking," Lake said of shooting free throws in the waning moments of a tight basketball game. "I knew I was going to make both shots. You have to close it out for your team."

The Wildcats (1-1) nearly squandered a 17-point early fourth-quarter lead before vanquishing the host Panthers (0-2).

Neuqua Valley can chalk up its first win of the season largely due to its rebounding prowess.

The Wildcats and Oswego both had 18 field goals for the game, but Neuqua Valley enjoyed a 38-28 advantage on the glass.

"When they missed shots, we really got after the boards," Neuqua Valley coach Todd Sutton said.

Dubem Ogbuefi epitomized the Wildcats' efforts on the backboards.

The reserve had 14 rebounds to lead all players.

"I am just looking to crash the boards," Ogbuefi said. "I see the ball, I want it, so I grab it. We spend a lot of time boxing out in practice."

There were multiple lead changes in the first quarter.

But Neuqua Valley turned up the screws defensively in the second and third quarters.

Oswego managed but 2 points in the third quarter.

"We came out (in the second half) kind of in a funk," Oswego coach Chad Pohlman said. "We were taking quacking shots. We held them to 10 (points in the third quarter). I will take 10 points a quarter every time."

Neuqua Valley had a 39-22 lead early in the fourth quarter when Carson Grieman converted an inside score.

But Oswego would mount a furious comeback.

The Panthers' Jack Kahoun hit consecutive 3-pointers to reduce the Neuqua Valley lead to 44-41 with three minutes and change remaining.

But Oswego would come no closer than 46-44 in the last 25 seconds after Lake, who scored 10 points, had the last of his four free throws with 12.8 seconds to play.

"I like the rebounds," said of the difference in the game. "A pretty solid defensive effort."

Noah Herdman canned three 3-pointers in leading Neuqua Valley with 13 points.

AJonathan Tan nearly missed a double-double for the Wildcats with 9 points and 10 rebounds.

The Panthers' Kahoun led all players with 14 points.