CANTON: Tom McBride has a lot of fond memories of watching Canton McKinley basketball as a young man.
Since he has been coaching basketball at Lake, he could not recall the Blue Streaks winning at the Memorial Fieldhouse.
McBride and the Blue Streaks created their own special night to remember as they defeated the Bulldogs 58-54 in a Federal League game on Tuesday night.
The Blue Streaks (9-0, 5-0) survived a wild and frenzied fourth quarter with the game finally settled when Chaese Vaudrin, who finished with a team-high 17 points, made the second of two free throws with 1.4 seconds remaining.
It was a special win for McBride, who recalled how he grew up in the school district where his father worked for years.
McBride said the victory was very important for the Lake players for several reasons.
“There is a poem called There Is Only One Possession and we talked to our guys about it. It seemed like it was going to be the type of game where every possession seemed so big,” McBride said. “It is big because McKinley has an excellent new coach and he has challenged their guys.
“I thought they came in and were ready to take their best shot. That’s what makes this such a nice win.”
According to the McKinley official media guide, the Blue Streaks were just 2-11 against the Bulldogs since the teams began play in 1969.
After the game, the players hugged and smiled having come through a game that in the second half had the feeling of a do-or-die playoff game.
“It is a big thing for us they are No. 1 [in wins] in Ohio. It was a sweet thing to come in here and win and hopefully we can do it at our house,” said David Hohenadel, who scored 14 points.
Both teams tried to rattle the other with different defenses.
The Blue Streaks went with a zone, trying to combat the larger and quicker Bulldogs. McKinley went man-to-man, but then tried to double-team the Lake guards out front.
Though they turned the ball over at times, 10 in the second quarter alone, the Blue Streaks maintained their composure, using good ball-handling and numerous back-door cuts.
“Guys settled down when we got baskets by being patient,” Hohenadel said.
“I felt in control and that we had something in our back pocket to go to the next step.” McBride said.
Lake established their ability to score on the Bulldogs in the first quarter, getting off to a 9-1 lead, but the rest of the night was a back-and-forth battle leading to the intense fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs (4-6, 2-3) tied the game at 52 on a steal and basket by Hollis Alexander, who had eight points of his 16 points in the fourth quarter.
A three-point play by Vaudrin put Lake ahead to stay thanks to three missed foul shots in the final minute.
“It was a tough fought game for both sides,” sophomore Mitchell Spotleson said, who was one of four Lake players in double figures with 13 points. “Our teamwork and togetherness got us through the tough spots.”
Ryan Coen had 13 points for Lake.
Devaughntah Williams led McKinley with 19 points.
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