Johnson coach Jeff Steele has given his team free reign to keep shooting even if nothing is going in. "We shoot all the time in practice and coach says that if you miss keep shooting," said senior Matt Hollis. "Just as long as its a good shot." After falling behind Lakeview (0-2) by 15 early in the second, the Knights (2-2) found their shooting touch and roared back for a 72-65 win at Lakeview Tuesday night. Hollis was at the heart of the turnaround, finishing with a team-high 33 points and six assists against a tough Lions team. "That’s the best team I’ve coached against at Lakeview," Steele said. "They went on a 25-3 run, so for us to come back from that was special for the team." After four straight points by Lakeview’s Austin Montgomery (team-high 24 points) to open the second, the hosts led 25-10. Then Hollis broke loose, scoring 11 points in the second quarter. The sharpshooter sank the second of his five 3-pointers with nine seconds left in the half to close the Lions’ lead to 40-37 at the break. "I knew the shots were going to come," Hollis said. "Because it couldn’t get any worse. "My teammates kept telling me that you’re our man, we believe in you, and I didn’t want to let them down." Hollis lifted his team up. Yet another 3-pointer by the senior halfway through the third quarter gave Johnson its first lead since the start of the first, and then the two teams went back and forth to finish the quarter, with Johnson taking a 53-51 lead on a Cedric Harris putback with less than 30 seconds left. It would prove to be the go-ahead basket. Johnson strengthened its grip on the lead when it opened the fourth on a 10-0 run to take a 63-51 lead that the Knights held on to the rest of the way. The hosts didn’t go away, however. Lakeview’s Austin Pearson (21 points) sank a 3-pointer with under 30 seconds left to cut the lead to 71-65, but the surprising Lions ran out of time to get any closer to a comeback of their own. "I’m proud of the way our guys battled," said Lakeview coach Seth Vining. "I feel like we’re capable of being that kind of team." The Lions finished with 29 total rebounds, led by Montgomery with nine. Johnson pulled down 30 rebounds, with AJ Benefield grabbing 10 to go along with 10 points. Both teams were effective from long distance; Johnson sank 10 3-point shots and Lakeview made eight, including three in a row by Pearson as the Lions pulled away in the first. "I was expecting them to come out," Hollis said. "But I wasn’t expecting them to come out that hard." The Lions showed their ability to play with a solid opponent, and then the Knights displayed the ability to weather the storm. "What I’m proud of is that we have enough resilience to come back," Steele said. Johnson will be back on the home court against Jefferson on Tuesday, Lakeview will host Lumpkin County on Friday. Johnson girls 52, Lakeview 45 The Lady Knights (1-3) reached the free throw line early and often Tuesday night at Lakeview (3-2) en route to their first win of the season. Point guard Ryleigh Shannon (10 points, five assists, eight steals), Harlee Robson (11) and Emily Biers (10) led the way for Johnson, which finished 19 of 30 from the free throw line. "It’s a big key for us," Lady Knights coach Kory Bays said. "Getting to the foul line early is a big advantage for us." Johnson, which had lost to Lakeview 38-35 the week before, finally had the services of Shannon, who had been recovering after surgery. She announced her presence with six points in the fourth to finally pull away from Lakeview. The Lady Lions held a 31-30 advantage after three, then Johnson erupted on a 22-9 run to take a 52-40 lead and put the game out of reach. "This is going to be a big one for confidence," said Bays, whose said his team is focused on more than just the scoreboard. "This helps the morale." Johnson finished with 29 rebounds, Lakeview pulled down 26. The Lady Lions were led by Kelsey Gilbert with 16 points, Taylor Handte added 10. Lakeview finished just 10 of 20 at the foul line in a game that was punctuated by the officials whistle. Johnson finished with 17 fouls and Lakeview recorded 22.
Johnson rallies for 72-65 win at Lakeview
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