Vanguard Fades Late Against Academy of Lakes

Thu. February 16, 2012 at 11:12 p.m. | By Polk Preps Staff

BY MIKE AKINS

LEDGER CORRESPONDENT

CLASS 2a, REGION 2

LAKE WALES | Vanguard lost a nip and tuck affair to the Academy of Lakes 49-48 in the Class 2A, Region 2 quarterfinals Thursday night at Vanguard.

The Panthers, who won the district title for the first time in nine years last week, finish the year at 17-3.

In a game that featured 13 lead changes, Vanguard took its biggest lead at 46-41 on Thierry Frederic's basket with four minutes left.

Academy of Lakes then scored the next eight points to go up, 49-46, with two minutes left.

Because of a lack of bench, forward Spencer Tergliaferra had to stay in the game with four fouls, but he did cut the deficit to one with 54 seconds left as he stole the ball and converted the basket.

But that was the end of the scoring for Vanguard.

"Despite everything that happened in the game, we still had two good chances to win the game and that is all you can ask for," Panthers coach Dan Sheppard said.

Vanguard point guard Shaka McGriff scored 10 of his team high 19 points in the first half, including two 3-pointers.

Frederic added 12 points and Tergliaferra chipped in with nine.

Academy of Lakes (49) — Abaz Iowe 15, Ethan Haslam 11, Evan Gordy 10, Jarrett Harvey 7, Tony Arrington 6. Totals 23 1-3 49.

Vanguard (48)— Shaka McGriff 19, Thierry Frederic 12, Spencer Tergliaferra 9, Jr Esor 6, Katori Smith 2. Totals 22 9-17 48.

Academy of Lakes 12 8 15 14 - 49

Vanguard 10 12 15 11 - 48

Halftime: Vanguard 22-20. Three point field-goals: Academy 2 (Iowe, Arrington), Vanguard 3 (McGriff 2, Tergliferra). Records: Academy of Lakes 16-9, Vanguard 17-3.