It all came down to this.  After an entire season that left Millikan and Lakewood with identical league records, forty minutes would decide both teams’ fates.  One team would move on to the playoffs, while the other would have to wait until next season for a shot at the postseason.

On a neutral site at Wilson High last night, Lakewood outlasted Millikan thanks to a 26-8 second half sequence that gave the Lancers a seventeen-point lead for good.  Junior forward Jared Garber led all scorers with 20 points, and senior Stephen Armstrong backed him up with 13 points and nine rebounds.  Several others scored for Lakewood in an all-around effort.

With the 58-46 victory, Lakewood will play in the postseason and will learn their opponent in the playoff drawing tomorrow. Lakewood won their final four games to squeak into the playoffs.

For Millikan, the loss is their third in a row and ends a once-promising season that sparked high hopes when the Rams went on a four-game winning streak late in the Moore League schedule.  But Millikan could not beat league champions Jordan on Thursday night and were forced into the contest against Lakewood.  Senior guard Kierre Beverly ended a spectacular career with 18 points and four rebounds, but missed his final seven shots as the Rams fell deeper into a hole.  Junior guard Alden Darby chipped in 12 points and six rebounds.