Lakeland fought all the way back from a 13-point deficit to start the fourth quarter of its season-opening basketball game but visiting Churchland hung on in the final two minutes to claim a 58-51 victory Tuesday evening at Lakeland.

In a contest that was clearly the first of the season for the Cavaliers and Truckers, Churchland did just enough to take advantage of 27 Cavalier turnovers.

Lakeland stormed back from a 47-34 hole starting the fourth quarter. Pressing defense, which Churchland put on the Cavs for the first three periods, swung in the home side’s direction. Poor Trucker shooting, including going 1-for-19 on three-point shots on the night, finally caught up with the visitors as the Cavaliers rallied to a 51-51 score with 2:10 left to play.

Simply keeping the ball long enough to take shots was good enough to spark the Cavalier comeback.

Rodney Goodman and Marichal Walden grabbed offensive boards and scored put-backs in the paint for four quick points, cutting Churchland’s lead to 47-39.

As Lakeland’s full-court defense was turning the tide, Samson Worrell stole a Trucker pass at midcourt and passed ahead for Seveante Williams to get a lay-up, bringing Lakeland within 51-48 with 3:17 remaining.

An empty Trucker possession led to Khalil Carrol driving in from the top of the key for a lay-up.

Carrol, a reserve last season, took up most of the point guard play in the first game of the new season. Carrol struggled, as all the Cavaliers did, against Churchland’s hectic, fast defense for the first three periods before scoring and making plays to help the Cavalier rally in the fourth quarter.

Walden split a pair of free throws to make it 51-51 with 2:10 to play.

The Lakeland miscues returned at a poor time and the Truckers scored the last seven points of the game.

The Cavaliers came up empty on a chance to take the lead as the clock ticked under 90 seconds remaining. Churchland guard Dre Demiel drove all the way to the other end for a lay-up and a 54-51 Trucker lead with 1:18 and counting.

Trucker forward Kyle Bynum, who passes for Churchland’s post player at 6-foot-1, scored two buckets in the paint in the last minute to make the Trucker lead safe. Bynum finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds and four steals to lead the Truckers.

Walden led Lakeland with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Carrol scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half. Goodman added nine points and eight rebounds.

The Cavaliers struggled with turnovers from the start, committing four of them before getting on the scoreboard. Lakeland still led 11-8 at the end of a period before the Truckers won the second quarter 23-13.

Lakeland starts Southeastern District play hosting Hickory Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Cavaliers will be back on the court roughly 14 hours following facing the Hawks, playing Southampton in the King’s Fork Showcase on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

Lakeland 2011-12 Boys basketball schedule

Head coach – James Jones

Games start at 7:30 p.m. unless noted. Home games are in CAPS.

Tues. 11/29 CHURCHLAND

Fri. 12/2 HICKORY

Sat. 12/3 vs. Southampton at King’s Fork Showcase (11:30 a.m.)

Tues. 12/6 DEEP CREEK

Fri. 12/9 at Nansemond River

Tues. 12/13 at Great Bridge

Fri. 12/16 WESTERN BRANCH

Tues. 12/20 at Oscar Smith

Mon. 12/26 at First Colonial (7 p.m.)

Tues. 12/27 at Cox (5 p.m.)

Tues. 1/3 INDIAN RIVER

Fri. 1/6 at Grassfield

Tues. 1/10 at King’s Fork

Fri. 1/13 at Hickory

Tues. 1/17 at Deep Creek

Thurs. 1/19 NANSEMOND RIVER

Fri. 1/20 GREAT BRIDGE

Fri. 1/27 at Western Branch

Tues. 1/31 OSCAR SMITH

Thurs. 2/2 at Indian River

Fri. 2/3 GRASSFIELD

Tues. 2/7 KING’S FORK