Cherokee Trail junior Deon Barfield soared for the dramatic game-winning tip with 10 seconds left to lift Cherokee Trail to a 60-59 victory over visiting Lakewood Friday night.
The No. 4 Cougars improve to 4-0 with the win, while the No. 7 Tigers fall to 4-1. Lakewood had a six point lead with less than two minutes to play, but coach Morgan Gregory’s squad was able to get key buckets when it counted most late in the game.
Both teams are to be considered 5A title contenders, as the guard play of Cherokee Trail’s Jaizec Lottie and Lakewood’s Kolton Peterson make each squad competitive with any team in the classification.
Cherokee Trail is in action next on Dec. 13 at home against Legend, while Lakewood plays on the road at ThunderRidge that same night.
