The LHS boys basketball team is off to a very strong start at the beginning of their season as they start their season with a 2-0 record. Last Friday, the Pats took on the defending state championship team OGHS and gave them a run for their money.

With a jam-packed gym and two loud crowds, the two teams battled out an incredibly close game. LHS led most of the first half by two points, but OGHS would not let the Pats get too far away from them. The second half score ended up with LHS at 38 and OGHS at 34, but still with a lot of game left to play.

With former starter, Dillon Barrow out with a broken foot, the Pats did not know what to expect from their new starting five. Junior Jared Jaros started the game for LHS and came out ready to play and ready to fight for the W. Jaros really stepped up for the Pats as they started the second half with nine points.

The second half of the game was no different in regards of the neck-in-neck scores and the huge intensity throughout the gym. The crowds would not stay off their feet as the back and forth game refused to slow down. The Pats took the lead at the end of the third quarter with a score of 47-45.

The end of the game was full of screaming crowds and high intensity as the clock ticked down while the score remained close. The Pats were up by two with only a little over two minutes to go, until OGHS junior, Canyon Bauer hits a three, making the score come within one point. With only a minute left to play, LHS senior, Alex Glanzer gets fouled and put on the free throw line in bonus making a secure win for the Pats as they come out on top with a final score of 69-66.

Senior Diang Gutluak scored a game high of 24 points followed by Glanzer with 16 and senior Christophe Bwanya with 11, all helping the Pats outlast OGHS and continuing their undefeated season.