Suffolk News-Herald

The Lakeland football team could have used a few more seven-point plays this fall, but the school’s girls’ basketball team used a momentum-changing seven point play to turn the tide against host Nansemond River in each side’s opening game of the season.

Despite being behind until late in the third quarter, the Lady Cavaliers came away with a 60-51 victory Friday night.

The Lady Cavaliers trailed 39-35 with 1:33 left in the third quarter when a combination of a River personal foul and two technical fouls gave LeCetra Arrington six free throws.

She made four of them to tie the game, and proceeded to knock in a three-pointer from the right wing.

In one trip down the floor, Lakeland had gone from down four to ahead by three at 42-39.

The seven-point possession was part of a larger 16-0 Lakeland run.

The Lady Warriors were ahead 39-29 with just under five minutes to go in the third, and at the close of the period, Lakeland led 45-39.

The Lady Warriors were unable to close the gap in the fourth as the Lakeland combo of Arrington and Natasha Whitworth were too much to overcome.

Arrington scored a game-high 23 points, with 15 coming in the second half.

Whitworth put together a double-double with 18 points and 20 rebounds.

The Lady Warriors were led by Stephanie Adams’ 22 points and five three-pointers.

Stacy Smith also recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 boards.

&uot;We just held our composure and stuck with our game plan,&uot; said Lakeland coach Johnetta Saunders, in her first career district win. For the Lady Warriors, their next time out will be Tuesday night at home against Deep Creek. Lakeland will host Oscar Smith.