5A-10 Boys: Highlanders Top Bloodhounds With Late 3-Pointers

Fri. February 08, 2013 at 3:00 a.m. | By Polk Preps Staff

Lake Wales' Marcus Dewberry drives up the court as Auburndale's Rosemond Alexis tries to defend during the first half of the Class 5A, District 10 tournament championship on Thursday. (Photo by MICHAEL WILSON | THE LEDGER)

By DICK SCANLON

LEDGER CORRESPONDENT

LAKELAND | Marcus Dewberry and Douglas Brooks hit big 3-pointers in the final minutes and Lake Wales turned back Auburndale 74-69 Thursday night at Tenoroc High School to win a district championship in defense of its Class 5A state boys basketball title.

Brooks came off the bench with four 3-pointers and led the Highlanders (20-7) with 23 points, clinching home court in the first round of the regionals next week.

Elmo Stephen had 28 points and nine rebounds for Auburndale, but the Bloodhounds (24-3) lost to the Highlanders for the second time in three tries this season. The Bloodhounds will open regional play on the road.

Brooks, a 6-foot-3 senior guard, started the game on the bench, but scored 12 points in the first half and helped the Highlanders grab a 12-point lead early in the second quarter. John Barrett answered with three 3-point baskets in the second quarter and Auburndale was back in the game to stay after making 7 of 10 shots in the period, including five 3-pointers.

"We got a great lead, and they dwindled it down by hitting those threes," Lake Wales coach Randy Lee said. "That was critical, and then after that it was nip-and-tuck for the rest of the game."

Auburndale pulled ahead for the first time on a layup by Daryle Henry midway through the third quarter, and the Bloodhounds led by three in the final period after Barrett hit another 3-pointer and then all three shots after he was fouled on another shot.

But Brooks answered quickly with a 3-pointer, and another 3-pointer by Dewberry put the Highlanders up 66-62 with less than three minutes left. Brooks' final 3-pointer and a dunk by J'Quayveon Williams helped Lake Wales clinch the win.

Lake Wales' defensive pressure took Auburndale out of its offense early in the game and caused a total of 22 turnovers, but fouls started catching up with the Highlanders late in the game. Dewberry fouled out with 1:23 left and five other Highlanders finished the game with three fouls or more.

LAKE WALES (74): Shaka McGriff 4, Railond Garrett 2, J'Quayveon Williams 8, Marcus Dewberry 9, Shaquille Snell 6, Savonte Frazier 14, Douglas Brooks 23, Dedric Brinson 4, Davion Riley 0, David Campbell 2, Winslow Jones 2.

AUBURNDALE (69): Rosemond Alexis 5, Derwin James 4, Elmo Stephens 28, Keon Clergeot 6, John Barrett 16, Daryle Henry 7, Allan St. Louis 0, Deion Young 3.

Lake Wales 21 15 17 21 — 74

Auburndale 10 24 18 17 — 69

Team fouls: Lake Wales 24, Auburndale 16. Fouled out: Dewberry. Records: Lake Wales 20-7, Auburndale 24-3.