Doherty Out Shoots Lakewood
In a fast paced free flowing game the Doherty Spartans defeated the visiting Lakewood Tigers in the second round of the 5A playoffs , 78-69. Neither team wasted any time getting on the score board attacking the basket and letting the 3’s fly.
The three point shooting of Doherty especially that of BJ Hardy and the Spartans face guarding of Lakewood’s top player Kolton Peterson was the story of this game. Hardy and junior guard Brevin Brimble both combined for 10 of the Spartans 13 three pointers. Spartans passed the ball easily to the back side of the Tigers zone who were late rotating over. Meanwhile Dalven Brushier was attacking the basket and converting at the rim.
The Tigers were able to take advantage of their size with junior forward Jacob Storey. Storey was able to get the ball in the paint and score which kept the Tigers with in nine points for most of the game. Lakewood was able to keep up with the Spartans without Peterson scoring or even seeing the ball for most of three quarters. Ezekiel Sundberg was able to score in the paint and Manuel Garcia III hit a couple of three pointers to keep the Tigers in the game.
After being faced guarded for most of the game Peterson was able to shake loose of Emmanuel Burleson and Hardy’s stifling defense. The Lakewood junior erupted for 13 points of his team high 20 points that brought the Tigers to with in four points of Doherty with four minutes left. But each time Lakewood would cut the Spartans lead to five or four points the Spartans would hit a three pointer or would drain their free throws. Like this one from Hardy.
Hardy would shoot 8 of 8 from the free throw line in the final minutes to seal the win for the Spartans.
Doherty will host Rock Canyon on Wednesday in the Sweet 16. It will be interesting to see if the Jaguars will want to run with the Spartans or if the Spartans can grind with the Jaguars.
Double Digit Scorers
Doherty
BJ Hardy 23
Dalven Brushier 21
Brimble 15
Lakewood
Kolton Peterson 20
Jacob Storey 19
Ezekeil Sundberg 14