Sebring Holds Off Lake Wales

Missing several key players didn't stop the Sebring boys basketball team from playing hard in outlasting Lake Wales by a score of 49-43 in the Jim Taveniere Holiday Tournament on Saturday night.

Senior guard JC Howard came off the bench to score a game-high 17 points and sophomore forward Joe Young added 13 points to lead the Blue Streaks past the Highlanders.

"It wasn't pretty, but I'll take an ugly win over a pretty loss any day of the week," said Sebring coach Princeton Harris. "Our big guys have been doing a good job on the inside and that's something we're going to continue to go to.

"It was a physical game, but we were able use our size advantage and we just want to continue to work hard and get better."

Both teams came out ice cold from the floor to open the contest, but Lake Wales guard Gary McGahee, who scored a team-high 16 points, scored four points to give the Highlanders an 8-6 lead heading into the second period.

Young came alive to score six points in the paint and senior guard Chris Grubb, who finished with 12 points and six assists, added four as the Blue Streaks took a 21-19 lead at the half.

Lake Wales forced numerous Sebring turnovers with its press in the third quarter, but the Blue Streaks controlled the boards and scored on numerous rebound baskets.

"We had some guys out, but other guys stepped up and gave us a big lift," said Harris. "It was a team effort and that's what role players are for."

Sebring used its quick hands and size to force 21 Highlander turnovers in a contest that was physical with numerous trips to the charity stripe for both teams.

The Blue Streaks were able to contain the Lake Wales offense and took a 33-28 lead into the final eight minutes of the contest.

Lake Wales tried to pressure the ball the length of the court starting the final stanza, but Howard made sure Sebring wouldn't lose.

The senior showed no emotion as he calmly made six free throws in the closing minutes to ward off a Highlander comeback to secure the hard-fought win.

"JC did a heck of a job of handling the ball and making some shots when we needed it," said Harris. "We needed contributions from different players tonight and that's what we got.

"JC did a great job from the free throw line, but we missed some other opportunities from the line and that could have come back to haunt us."

Sebring is back in action on Dec. 27 when the Blue Streaks travel to play in the Martin County Hall Of Fame Tournament.

"We want to play tough non-district competition because that makes us a better team," Harris said. "The different looks and styles of play we go up against help us to have confidence against anybody we play.

"We have improved a lot since the start of the season, but we have a lot of room to get better and we have to if we want to make a run in the district tournament in February."

Sebring is also participating in a tournament in Boca Raton next Saturday.