The Lakeland men's basketball team faced off against the NJCAA's 8th ranked Macomb Monarchs today in the Great Lakes District C semi-finals. In a hard-fought game, the Lakers suffered an 80-72 loss to the Monarchs. The loss ends the Lakers season with a 19-8 overall record. In the first half, the Lakers fell into a quick 7-2 hole before a Laker timeout. Devin Belle would score out of the timeout before the Monarchs would miss and Aaron Ward would score to make the score 7-6. The teams would then trade baskets before Eric Cook tied the score at 10 with a jump shot. Following a Monarch miss, the Lakers would take a 13-10 lead on a Belle 3-pointer with Kaleb Wanamaker assisting. The two teams would continue to battle and have tied scores at 17 and 20.  The Monarchs would then go on a short run and take a 35-27 lead before Aaron Ward scored on a thunderous dunk. After a Monarch miss, Belle would drain another 3-pointer on an assist from Ward to bring the Lakers within 3 at 35-32. Following a Monarch basket, Adam Williams would score to close out the half with the Lakers trailing 37-34.

In the second half, Lakeland started strong. Adam Williams got things going with a 3-pointer to tie the score at 37. Following a Monarch miss, Aaron Ward would score a layup on a Williams assist. The Monarchs would then miss two free throws and Devin Belle would connect on a turnaround jumper for a 41-37 Laker lead. Brandon Moore would then steal the ball setting up Belle for a 3-pointer and a 44-37 Laker lead. Macomb would then hit a pair of free throws before Ward scored a layup to put the Lakers up 46-39. Macomb would sink another free throw before Ward scored again pushing the Laker lead to 8 at 48-40. Macomb would score the next 2 baskets before Ward had another dunk giving the Lakers a 50-45 lead with 13:09 to play. The Lakers missed on their next couple of possessions while Macomb continued to score. The Monarchs took the lead at 51-50 before a Kaleb Wanamaker 3-pointer regained the Lakers lead. The teams traded baskets before Macomb hit a three to take a 58-55 lead. Ben Hamilton then stepped up and drained a game tying three. From there, the Monarchs went on a mini-run taking a 66-58 lead as they used Laker misses and fouls to grow the lead. The teams then traded baskets for the rest of the game as the Lakers ran out of time.

Lakeland had 3 players finish in double digits with Devin Belle leading the way scoring 28 points and collecting 6 rebounds. Aaron Ward also had a strong game finishing with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Adam Williams finished with 13 points and 3 assists while Kaleb Wanamaker finished with 3 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. Ben Hamilton added 3 points and a rebound while Eric Cook recorded 2 points, 4 rebounds, and a block. Brandon Moore chipped in 2 points, 2 rebounds, and a steal in the Laker loss.

T's Talk: "I'm very proud of our effort today. We played a very good team, worked hard, but just came up a little short. Everyone on this team should be proud of the efforts they have made the entire season."