Rangers Bring Down The House In OT Win

In what is expected to be the final varsity basketball game ever played in the LHS East Gym, the Rangers defeated Brecksville-Broadview Heights in 61-54 overtime thriller. The first-round OHSAA tournament win extended Lakewood's memorable season, which included the team's first conference title in 40 years. The team's scrappy play and relatively small size has earned the team the nickname "Runts from Bunts."

Lakewood entered the game with a 19-3 record, including a perfect 14-0 record in the West Shore Conference. That record earned the Rangers a first-round home game in the OHSAA tournament, giving the team one more chance to play for its home fans. A large crowd turned out for the event, many wearing white t-shirts as part of a "white out" promotion. 

The magnitude of the "must-win" game may have affected the team. The Rangers got off to a slow start, falling behind 11-2 after the first quarter. After falling behind 13-2 in the first minute of the second quarter, Lakewood went on a strong run to take a 26-21 lead at halftime.

Brecksville, which entered the game with a 12-8 record, did not go easily. The Bees tied the game after three quarters, putting pressure on the favored Rangers. The fourth quarter was a tight affair, with the teams exchanging leads in the final minutes. With the game tied in the final five seconds, Lakewood inbounded the ball with a chance to win, but the final shot missed and the game went to overtime. The Rangers won the game in overtime, led by Shawn McDonald's 23 points. Tim Tupa, son of former Ohio State and NFL player Tom Tupa, led the Bees in scoring with 25 points.

The victory is likely the final game to ever be played in the East Gym. The gym is expected to be demolished this year as part of the Phase III school construction project, which was approved by Lakewood voters in spring 2013. It has not yet been decided where the team's home games will be played during the reconstruction period. The location of the school's new gym is also not yet decided, but will be announced by the district when plans are finalized.