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Lakeland Seniors Celebrate on Their Night

Eagles defeat Mott 45-33 in a memorable game for five seniors who are honored before the game.

WHITE LAKE - Three minutes into Friday night’s game against Waterford Mott, it was clear that there was no letdown for following a tough loss on Monday.

It was also clear that it was going to be a special night.

The fact that Lakeland defeated Waterford Mott 45-33 was important, but what will be remembered about this game was that all five Lakeland seniors scored on Senior Night and some of those points came from unexpected sources.

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The positives vibes started early when senior Jillian Parsons, hobbled by a serious knee injury that will likely require surgery, drained a three-pointer just a minute into the game. Parsons left the game shortly thereafter as expected and may not play again this season, but the lasting moment gave everyone in the fieldhouse chills.

“That was a play that we drew up and it couldn’t have worked any better,” said Lakeland head coach Mike Head. “I’ll be honest I was pretty teary-eyed when that happened. She worked so hard and she wants so much to be out on the court."

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The Eagles (13-3, 8-2 KLAA North) shortly thereafter cruised to a 10-0 lead, and led by double digits throughout the convincing win. The game was never really in doubt, especially with the way that Lakeland was rebounding. The Eagles grabbed nine offensive rebounds in the first half, leading to numerous second-chance opportunities.

Mott didn’t have the interior presence to hang with the taller Eagles. The Corsairs played a half court zone throughout the entire game, which often leaves the proverbial door open for many offensive rebounds compared to a man defense.

“It was a real team effort as it has been all year,” said senior Rose Deren, who was the last of the five seniors to score in the game. “But I won’t forget when (Parsons) hit that shot. That’s a moment that no one will ever forget.”

It was a Stephanie Lock putback followed by a lefty baby hook that put the Eagles up 10-0 just three minutes into the game. Lakeland scored 19 in the first quarter, but began to struggle from the perimeter in the second quarter. Junior Jessie Clink hit a 20-footer late in the second quarter to give Lakeland a 27-12 lead at halftime over Mott (4-12, 4-6).

Lock, a senior, had seven rebounds and four blocks in the first half, finishing with 13 points for the game. Eight players in all scored for Lakeland, including senior Callie Vivian with eight and senior Kelsey Cleary with four. Mott would get no closer than nine points in the second half.

“We shot the ball well in that first half and maybe it was that surge of adrenaline we got after Jessica’s shot,” Head said.

Deren believes the Eagles have a great opportunity to compete for a KLAA tournament title before district play begins.

“We have such a close team and I think we’ve been increasingly getting better,” Deren said.

Head praised each of his seniors for their efforts after the game on Lakeland’s Senior Night.

On Lock: “Simply put she is one of the best student athletes who have come through here. We’ve been lucky to have her talents. It says a lot about her that she is willing to play a variety of other sports.”

On Deren: “She’s that classic player who really worked hard to become the significant contributor she is. I think it was karma that she scored tonight.”

On Vivian: “Callie is a blue-collar player and really tough for her size. She made herself a contributor and is another player who may not have been a big scorer but she does so many other things on the court.”

On Cleary: “She took her junior year off (from basketball) but she missed it and we were happy to have her back. She had a great game tonight and fits right in with the team.”

On Parsons: “Jillian is as tough as they come. It was difficult to pull her off the court after she made that shot but she has done everything possible to try and play this year.”

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