Final Score: American Heritage 98, Lakewood 70. The up tempo pace of the Patriots swallowed the Spartans of Lakewood.  After a fast start by Heritage, Lakewood found it difficult to recover, ultimately losing the 5A state title game with an impressive shooting performance by the 2014 Champions.  Below are bullet points from 5A action.

FIRST HALF

• Lakewood’s transition defense was their biggest problem throughout the first half.  Time and time again, the Spartans were beat down the court giving up easy buckets on the break the entire game.
• Jacobi Boykins, Lakewood 2014 G played his butt off in the first half.  Scored a team high 13 points and played all but one minute.
• Justin Massey and Keshawn Evans were the difference makers for Heritage.  Evans was unconscious hitting 5 of his 7 three-point attempts ending the half with 19 points.  Massey had 13 points.
• Heritage scored 12 points off turnovers and shot the lights out (76%) from the field.

GAME

• The end result: Hustle! American Heritage played at a faster pace. Their transition scoring was amazing.  The Patriots played smart and took care of the ball while the starters were in the game.  11 turnovers as a team.
• Anthony Lawrence, Lakewood 2015 G starting rolling in the second half.  Showed a verity of moves, inside and outside, scored 18 total points.
• Lakewood ended the game with 14 turnovers and Heritage scored 20 of their 98 points off those turnovers.
• Guard play was front-in-center as both big men on both teams were limited. Drake Lamont, Heritage scored 12 points but grabbed 9 rebounds.  Michael Clark for Lakewood ended the game with 9 points and 5 rebounds.
• Keswhan Evans and Jacobi Boykins were named the Under Armor Player of the Game for their respective teams. Lakewood’s Boykins left it all on the court; did everything he could to give Lakewood a chance at a different result. He finished his Lakewood career with 28 points and 13 rebounds!