Lake City Has A Close Shave T-Wolves Squeeze Past Moscow

He knows it had no bearing on the game’s outcome Friday, but Lake City High boys basketball coach Jim Winger had to do something - at least for his own sanity.

So Winger didn’t wear a tie. He also didn’t shave.

“It’s like putting a tie on a pig so why worry about it,” Winger quipped.

Winger got his hoped-for-result as the T-Wolves played much better offensively. And coupled with their usual defensive intensity they were able to hold off an equal in Moscow, 49-47, in a Border League game.

The question now is what will Winger do to get Lake City to pull out of a free-throw shooting slump.

LC let Moscow stay closer than it should have in the final quarter as the T-Wolves made just 3 of 13 foul shots, 13 of 27 overall. LC was shooting 62 percent from the line going into the game after a 7-for-17 effort in a 47-46 loss to East Valley on Tuesday.

At least when it mattered most, though, LC’s best free-throw shooter was at the line. Jeff Schuh, a 72-percent foul shooter who got a rare start only because he was incorrectly listed in the lineup, made two free throws with 11 seconds left.

Moscow’s lone 3-point attempt in the final seconds was partially blocked before B.J. Garrett made an oh-by-the-way jumper for the Bears at the buzzer.

Moscow should have had at least two more offensive possessions in the final 28 seconds, but the Bears couldn’t pull down a rebound after LC’s missed foul shots.

To the T-Wolves’ credit, Justin Nipp, who struggled the most at the foul line, Jacob Lenz, Connor Quinn and Schuh combined for key rebounds after the missed free throws.

“The key to me was when we gave up those offensive rebounds at the end,” Moscow coach Don Dudley said. “We had them right where we wanted them. We’re down by two (points). The opportunities were there.”

Moscow had to work hard defensively to have a chance at the end, too. The Bears tied the score twice in the final quarter, but they never led.

LC opened strong by building a 10-0 lead on its way to a 12-3 advantage after the first period. The T-Wolves twice had 11-point leads in the second quarter before taking a 29-23 advantage into halftime.

Nipp, who led LC with 13 points and eight rebounds, made just 3 of 11 foul shots. One of those free throws gave LC its biggest lead in the third quarter, 40-28, at the 1:49 mark. But Moscow’s 8-0 spurt made it 40-36 at the end of the period.

Moscow tied the score at 42- and 44-all, but Stroh’s 14-foot jumper with 1:40 left gave LC the lead for good.

LC received solid efforts from several players. Quinn had 12 points and five assists and J.J. Barlow had 12 points and six rebounds.

Winger was most pleased with the defense, a combination of 2-3 and 1-2-2 zones.

“That’s as good a zone defense we’ve run,” he said. “The kids were really active in it and I don’t think (Moscow) got into much rhythm.”

LC plays Cheney tonight.

Moscow 3 20 11 13 - 47

Lake City 12 17 11 9 - 49

Moscow (4-6, 4-4) - Garrett 1 0-0 2, Brown 0 0-0 0, Walker 0 0-0 0, Busch 2 2-2 7, Comstock 1 0-0 2, Shupe 6 0-3 16, Johnson 0 1-2 1, Williams 4 5-5 13, Richards 0 0-0 0, Lee 2 0-1 4, Burton 1 0-0 2, Keep 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 8-13 47.

Lake City (7-4, 6-3) - Barlow 4 3-4 12, Bramlet 0 0-0 0, Schuh 3 2-2 8, Reiswig 0 0-0 0, Lenz 0 0-2 0, Wilder 0 0-0 0, Nipp 5 3-11 13, Keefer 0 0-0 0, Stroh 1 2-3 4, Quinn 4 3-4 12, Dennis 0 0-1 0. Totals 17 13-27 49.

3-point goals - Shupe 4, Busch, Quinn, Barlow. Total fouls - Mos 21, LC 15. Fouled out - none. Technicals - none.