Big finish helps Grant's seniors past Lakes

It was a celebration, in more ways than one, on senior night for Grant.

Before the game, the Bulldogs paid tribute to that senior class.

It wasn't looking good for them as Grant faced an 11-point deficit late in the third quarter.

But the four-year players left happy after the Bulldogs put together a 25-7 run to close out visiting Lakes 53-46 victory in Northern Lake County Conference play.

After the game, the Grant celebrated a fourth straight win with another jubilant locker room rollercoaster team dance, shared via social media.

"We'll take it," said Grant coach Wayne Bosworth, whose team improved to 10-11 overall and 7-2 in the NLCC. "We said before the game our goal tonight was to win the game. Our guys dug in deep and had the heart to do it."

Trailing by double digits really didn't faze the Bulldogs.

"I give the credit to all our guys as they were busting their tails for all those minutes," Bosworth said. "They were tracking hard, rotating hard, they were forcing Lakes to take some quick shots and they forced some turnovers. Our guys turned it up another level defensively and rotated quick, forcing Lakes into some difficult situations. We just played well."

Lakes (9-15, 5-5) was more aggressive early and held a 26-24 advantage at the halftime break before going on a 13-4 run to start the third quarter. Brad Cherry, who finished with a game-high 17 points, dropped in a 3 with 2:47 left to put Lakes in command 39-28. The Eagles still led 39-31 going to the final quarter.

But Grant kept clawing back.

Torren Curry scored 9 of his 11 points in the final quarter, including a 3 that brought the Bulldogs within 43-41 with 4:05 left. Lakes still led by 1 point - until the final minute.

Grant's Mike Huff, bothered by foul trouble in the first half, had been limited to just 3 points through the first half. But he scored 6 of his 13 points in the fourth and made a couple of key steals, including the one that put the Bulldogs ahead 47-46 with 50 seconds left.

Grant scored 6 more unanswered points on free throws play a layup from Hunter Waszkowski (16 points). The Bulldogs went 10-for-10 from the free throw line over the final eight minutes.

"It was exciting," said Curry of the comeback. "We're a really solid group and we try to stick together. We've pulled out tough wins and have been in games like these several times."

For Lakes, taking care of the basketball down the stretch was the big issue. But coach Chris Snyder did not fault his team's effort.

"We got careless with the ball in the fourth quarter and Grant was able to take advantage," Snyder said. "I thought our guys battled all night. We just gave away some possessions at the end that ended up doing us in. I'm proud of the effort of our guys, and hats off to Grant on the win."