Lakewood defeated Gibbs tonight in another thrilling contest packed with big dunks and opportunistic play.  Lakewood started the game flying around, crashing the boards and out hustling Gibbs.  The Spartans took an early 7-0 lead before Gibbs called their first timeout to get focused.  Michael Clark had 6 of Lakewood’s 14 first quarter points and was a man on the offensive glass.

Gibbs finally got going in the second quarter scoring 21 point in the second period and Barry Brown began to assert himself.  Brown’s 8 points helped keep Gibbs close as Lakewood never slowed, scoring 21 points themselves in the same period. Clark’s energy around the basket allowed him to rack up 6 more points in the second period ending the half with 12 points and leading all scorers.  At the end of the first half, Lakewood led Gibbs 35-32.

Lakewood outscored Gibbs in the 3^rd quarter scoring 19 (Gibbs scored 16) points to increase their total to 54.  Second chance opportunities kept Lakewood out in front. The Spartans were dominant on the offensive and defensive glass, which allowed them to keep Gibbs a step behind the whole game.  Ellison, Boykins and Clark all added several points during the 3^rd period with Clark and Boykins having their own dunk contest.

The fourth quarter started with a sense of urgency by Gibbs. Speights and Brown were very aggressive attempting to get to the basket and the Gladiator defense turned up a notch. Gibbs outscored Lakewood 12-9 in the last period but it would not be enough.  An apparent, “No Call” by the officials, some heavy body contact as D.Davis took the ball to the hoop, kept Lakewood ahead by 2-points instead of Davis going to the line attempting to tie the game with 2 free throw shots with under 10 seconds left to play.  Ellison would go to the line with 4.9 seconds left in the game (1 & 1).  He would make the first, miss the second; Gibbs pushed the ball up the court and D. Davis attempted a running 3-point floater to tie the game but it would not fall.

Barry Brown, Gibbs led all scores with 24 points and Michael Clark led the Spartans with 21 points.  Lakewood will travel to Mariner (Cape Coral) on Saturday for the Regional Finals.