The Hornets saw their season come to an end last week in the opening round of the Class 2A playoffs with an eight-point loss to the Bobcats.
The Hornets fell behind early on the road and battled back but fell short, falling 60-52 to Bogue Chitto.
Bogue Chitto jumped out to an 11-4 lead in the first period and then outscored Lake 16-11 in the second to lead 27-15 at the half. Lake fought back in the third period and outscored Bogue Chitto 20-16 to cut the lead to 43-35 going to the fourth. Each team scored 17 points in the fourth period for the final margin.
Curly Robinson led Lake with 19 points while Ny’Zavion McClendon had nine points. O’Darius Johnson, Cameron Hunt and LeBron Jones each had eight points apiece.
First year coach Chance Collins said his team showed a lot of growth this season after his team finished with a 10-13 record.
“I am proud of this team and their growth this season,” Collins said. “We grew a lot in various areas — both on and off the court — throughout the entirety of the season and we got better in every game. Although, I feel we (I) fell a little short of what we really could have accomplished, this team accomplished a lot. We had our first double-digit win season (10 wins) in 11 years; our first playoff appearance in four years; and we competed in every single game. We lost seven games this year by five or less points and still finished with a 10-13 record.”
Collins said both he and the team showed their youth at times.
“This record comes with youth — both myself being young in my coaching career and also having very young players,” Collins said. “With that being said, I credit every single win to these guys and their ability to face adversity, and to their buy in, hard work, and dedication to growth. On the same hand, I also take the blame for every single loss. All in all, I feel as if this season was a step in the right direction and is only the beginning to the success that Lake boys basketball will see. The future is bright in Lake boys basketball. We are returning all but one player. It’s now time to hit the drawing board for next year’s team and get ready to level up.”
