WILLARD -- Late game heroics by Lucas guard Ethan "Goose" Wallace helped the Cubs defend their Division IV Willard District championship with a 38-37 victory over Norwalk St. Paul.

 

A back and forth battle would see #5 Lucas (19-7) look to slow the tempo down and that’s exactly what they would do as senior playmaker Ethan Sauder would contribute in almost every category, and helped control the tempo from the point guard position.

 

Sauder had 15 points to lead all scorers and played tremendous defense on Flyers (17-6) All-Ohioan Nate Winslow. St. paul would come out taking an early advantage at 11-9. with Wallace hitting a triple at the horn to stop some of the bleeding. The Cubs offensive would execute better in the second period,  but the Flyers would stay in front at 25-22 entering the half.

 

After the halftime break, the Lucas defensive really started to enforce their will, as the Flyers only notched just four points in the third, though the Cubs offense was not much better. As money time started with the game tied at 29-29, the intensity ramped up and neither team wanted to get sent home with the end of their season. The Flyers had the opportunity to put the game away but careless mistakes and turnovers would keep Lucas alive and they would capitalize on the opportuinity.

 

Wallace would take a hard drive and hit a go-ahead layup to put the Cubs on top with just 15 seconds to play, but left St. Paul with enough time to answer for the district crown. The Flyers last opportunity to win the game would see Scotty Adelman's attempt fall short, giving Lucas another trip to regionals.

 

Your Mechanics Bank player of the game was Sauder with those 15 points to lead his Cubs to another district title for the school's the trophy case.

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Watch the full broadcast with Storm Bluntschly and Garret Parlett on the call on the video above.