Brahmans edge Green Dragons

With its best player out with the flu, the Lake Placid boys basketball team battled a talented Okeechobee squad on even terms for most of the game before falling by a score of 64-56 on Thursday night.

The Green Dragons, who were without leading scorer Deondre Chisolm, dropped to 1-2 on the season and were led by Andre Wilson's game-high 27 points, while the Brahmans' Aaron Suarez scored a team-high 19 points and Ricky Nieto added 16 to help Okeechobee improve to 2-1.

"We had our chances but just didn't take advantage of them," said Lake Placid coach David Veley. "Deondre has the flu and our lack of depth hurt us down the stretch.

"Navahri Holden stepped up and had a solid game for us and Andre did the best he could, but we got in foul trouble and Okeechobee took advantage by pounding the ball inside."

Lake Placid started the non-district contest strong as Kirk Veley buried a pair of 3-pointers for six of his 14 points, and Wilson added seven to help the Green Dragons take a 17-13 lead into the second quarter.

"We started out well and executed our offense," said Coach Veley. "Andre had a big game for us and he and the other football players are starting to get in basketball shape.

"We played with a lot of intensity even though it was a non-district game and I was glad to see that."

Lake Placid cooled off from the floor in the second quarter and Okeechobee's Suarez got hot from long range as he drilled a pair of 3-pointers to help the Brahmans take a 31-30 lead at the half.

"We had some good looks at the basket, but couldn't get the ball to fall in the second period," the Green Dragon coach said. "We didn't quit though and kept battling against an experienced Okeechobee squad."

Okeechobee dominated the third quarter as LP's Wilson went to the bench with his fourth foul and Duelle Gore, who pulled down a team-high 14 rebounds, scored six of his 10 points in the paint to help the Brahmans open up a 46-37 lead heading into the final eight minutes.

Lake Placid refused to fold, and with Wilson back in the game, the Green Dragons trimmed their deficit to three points with 2:01 remaining in the game.

Veley had a good look from the left wing for a tying 3-pointer, but Okeechobee grabbed the rebound and DeForest Shenks scored on a layup to extend the Brahmans lead.

Lake Placid was forced to foul and Okeechobee converted its free throws down the stretch to seal the hard-fought victory.

"We fought back and had a chance to tie the game," said Coach Veley. "But the ball didn't bounce our way and that's the way it goes sometimes. We played hard and we'll be fine once we get everyone back healthy."

Lake Placid is back in action with a road game against Class 3A-District 9 rival Mulberry on Monday night.

"We're working hard to improve every time we step on the court," the Green Dragon coach said. "We've got three district games next week and those are the ones that really count."