Some might have expected Lakeland High School’s boys’ basketball team to underperform while playing without two starters on Tuesday. But the Cavaliers benefited from some seniors who came through on Senior Night to help their team defeat visiting Denbigh High School 55-40.

Lakeland coach Clint Wright heralded seniors Terry Mitchell, Wesley Arrington and Larry Everret as players who “really stepped up and answered the call.”

Junior guards Qurante Budd and Daquan Boyette, both usual starters for Lakeland, did not play on Tuesday.

Boyette was battling a stomach virus, and Budd was serving the first half of a two-game, VHSL-mandated suspension imposed after Friday’s road game at King’s Fork High School, when he was ejected after being called for a flagrant foul.

While those two players are key, Wright was pleased to see his team show it has depth, and he praised Mitchell and Arrington for their strong defense in Tuesday’s game.

Lakeland successfully held the Patriots to an average of 10 points per quarter, and Wright said, “That’s very difficult to do.”

Everret made a key impact on offense, finishing as one of the Cavaliers’ two double-figure scorers, with 11 points.

Lakeland junior forward Deonta Knight led all scorers with 21 points to go with 12 rebounds, and senior guard Kenya Latham added eight points and eight assists.

Also helping the home team was a perfect game at the free throw line. The Cavs went 9-9, which Wright said was significant to the game.

In the contest of a regular season winding down, Wright was pleased with Tuesday’s performance from his team, and he said, “I think things are headed in the right direction.”

Lakeland, which is now 4-4 in the Ironclad Conference, improved to 10-10 overall.

“I’m grateful for the second double-digit win season,” Wright said, after the Cavs went 13-13 last season.

The Cavaliers visit Heritage High School on Friday.