Ranked second in the state and with an undefeated Southeastern District record through 15 games, King’s Fork was the favorite Tuesday night going into a packed gym at city rival Lakeland.

Anyone on hand for the first time the Bulldogs and Cavaliers played this season however, a double-overtime Bulldog win, was ready for another barnburner.

Instead, despite another energized effort by Lakeland, the Bulldogs played like favorites, led throughout the final three quarters, and kept their composure in the final few minutes for a 62-50 victory.

The win gives King’s Fork a 4-0 record over Lakeland and Nansemond River in a regular season for the first time in the school’s five-year history.

“This is a big step for our kids and our program,” said King’s Fork head coach Joshua Worrell.

Jaquon Parker led the Bulldogs with 20 points and eight rebounds. Fellow senior wing player Jamar Wertz had a big all-around game with 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals.

King’s Fork led 56-45 with 3:35 remaining in the game before five straight points by Lakeland’s Justin Watson combined with three straight empty possessions by the Bulldogs cut the margin to 56-50 with 2:07 left.

“We knew (Lakeland) would have another run in them. We just needed to stay in control, stay composed, keep on having good ball control and I told them we’d be okay,” said Worrell.

The Bulldogs had good ball control all night as KF committed only eight turnovers and ran their offense to the tune of 48.9 percent field-goal shooting (22 of 45). The Bulldogs also made 14 of 17 free throws, including in the final two minutes.

Derek Wright made two at the line, King’s Fork got a critical defensive stop, then Parker made a pair to seal the game with a 10-point lead and 0:40 left. The win clinches the regular season district championship, also a first for Bulldog boys basketball.

Early in the game, Lakeland remained close to the state’s No. 2 team with the same tactics head coach James Jones devised for the game at King’s Fork. The Cavaliers stalled often through the first three periods, sometimes taking 90 seconds to two minutes off the clock in a possession.

Lakeland’s three quick, talented guards, Tony Smith, David Barnes and Watson were able to handle the ball despite King’s Fork’s defense, which usually forces all sorts of turnovers by opponents.

Unlike the first meeting, the Bulldog offense played effectively. Wertz led KF with nine points in the opening quarter as KF held a 19-16 lead.

Point guard Alvin Daughtrey, usually a reserve for King’s Fork, started for Worrell with the purpose to hassle Barnes, Lakeland’s leading scorer and lightning-quick ball-handler. Barnes still scored a game-high 22 points, but Worrell was pleased with Daughtrey’s effort.

“No one can take Barnes completely out of the game, but A.J. was able to frustrate him a little and tire him a little. He did a great job for us.”

On a three-pointer by Parker with 4:00 left in the first half, KF led 31-21 and the Bulldogs had made 12 of 19 field-goal attempts. KF led 35-26 at halftime and 40-29 three minutes into the second half, but Lakeland held to its plan.

Three pointers by Smith and Barnes, then a steal by Barnes and a 1-on-2 breakaway for a lay-up by the 5-foot-8 Barnes cut KF’s lead to 40-37.

KF had the last flurry of the period, with a dunk by Davante Gardner highlighting the rally, to take a 46-39 lead to the fourth period.

The Bulldogs continued making each possession count and eventually, a double-digit lead in the fourth period forced Lakeland to abandon its stalling.

Gardner added 10 points for KF. Smith scored 13 and Watson added 10 for Lakeland.

King’s Fork (19-1, 16-0) plays at Deep Creek on Friday. The Bulldogs beat the Hornets by 31 in their first meeting this season. Lakeland (13-6, 12-4) is still in contention for second place. Indian River holds second place by one game over Lakeland after Tuesday’s results. The Cavaliers play at Nansemond River on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.