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Mentor, Ohio – Despite trailing by as much as 12 in the final period, the Lake Catholic Cougars prevailed on Senior Day, 69-65, over visiting East Tech Saturday afternoon.
Lake Catholic led 19-18 at the end of the first quarter, thanks in part to the efforts of Aidan Fitzgerald and Peyton Budrys-Rini. The duo combined for 13 of the Cougars’ 19 in the stanza. East Tech responded, taking the lead in the second quarter thanks to Mohammed Shakir. He had 18 first half points and drained a pair of triples in the second quarter. Dem etrius Lawrence and Jovan Gaines each sank a triple for the Scarabs as well. They would lead 43-39 at the half.
East Tech would increase their lead to 46-41 midway through the third. Lake Catholic responded with a mini-run to cut their deficit to 46-45. From there, the Scarabs went on a 16-5 run as Mohammed Shakir knocked down a pair of triples in the period. He also scored a couple of layups in transition. They controlled the pace on both ends of the court, and as a result, took a 62-50 lead after three.
Lake Catholic responded with a rally of their own in the fourth. Peyton Budrys-Rini and Robert Russell made huge shots, and the defense stepped up, helping the Cougars chip away. Russell canned a triple to tie the game at 63 with 3:04 to play as part of a 13-1 run spanning five minutes.
Mohammed Shakir gave the Scarabs their final lead, 65-63, with 3:06 left. Lake Catholic would tie it up thanks a Cross Nimmo steal and layup with 1:58 to play. After another defensive stop, the Cougars had the ball with a chance to take the lead and complete their comeback.
Nick Brandt found Cross Nimmo in the paint, and Nimmo converted the go-ahead layup with five seconds remaining to give the Cougars the lead, 67-65. East Tech had one more chance. However, the Scarabs had a costly traveling violation with :02.7 left.
On the final possession, Nick Brandt found senior Aidan Fitzgerald wide-open for a layup to cap the scoring and complete the rally. The Cougars held the Scarabs to three points in the final period thanks to timely shots and big defensive plays.
Lake Catholic (12-7) hosts Padua next Friday evening in Crown Conference action. They had four players left in double figures, led by senior Aidan Fitzgerald, who had 18 points. Junior Peyton Budrys-Rini had 16, Robert Russell had 12, and sophomore Cross Nimmo had ten.
East Tech (11-9) travels to Benedictine Tuesday evening for a non-conference game. They were led by senior guard Mohammed Shakir, who had 29 points. Sophomore forward Demetrius Lawrence had 13 (all in the first half).
Extended highlights here:
East Tech Scarabs at Lake Catholic Cougars (Boys Basketball) (02/04/2023) – YouTube
