WC takes down Lanier in a 64-59 win on Monday

Warren Central High School boys’ basketball team will go into the Thanksgiving Day break with a win after defeating Lanier 64-59 on Monday.

“They all played well, especially my four guys I got back from football,” WC Head Coach Keith Williams said. With those guys coming back it gave us a chance to relax a little bit.”

The Vikings got a good start with Lazaveon Sylvester dominating inside the paint and putting up eight points in the first quarter, letting WC take a 14 – 10 lead.

The second quarter wasn’t the best for the Vikings as they only scored eight points. Though Gaylon Turner and Padre Gray, Jr. both knocked down 3-pointers, Lanier came back and took a 27-22 lead at halftime.

Gaylon Turner: Photo by Keith Phillips

The Vikings stepped up in the second half both offensively and defensively to narrow the Bulldogs’ lead. Roosevelt Harris hit a 3-pointer in the third quarter along with two free throws that played a role in WC’s comeback.

Down 42-41 heading into the final quarter, Gray and Turner helped to bring WC back to life with some key shots. Both the Vikings and the Bulldogs took turns taking the lead with Lanier ahead 51-49 with 4:44 left to play.

With just a short time left, the Vikings’ Donta Segrest hit a 3-pointer and Sylvester scored a layup, along with a foul, to push WC up 60-54 with 1:10 remaining.

Gray knocked down the last couple of free throws to give WC the win.

Sylvester finished with 16 points and Gray added 11 to the board. Turner led the team with 18 points while LJ Reynolds, Harris and Segrest each scored five points.

Lazaveon Sylvester: Photo by Keith Phillips

“We beat a pretty good team because you don’t just beat Lanier and I’m glad that we came out on top,” Williams said.