Lyons junior Justice Smith scored 21 of his game-high 33 points in the second half of Monday night’s Section V Class A2 championship game between the Lions and the top-seeded Perry Yellow Jackets in the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester. With his team trailing in the fourth quarter, Smith hit 3 three-pointers and went 4-4 from the line in the final period to lead the Lyons Lions the 18th sectional championship in their school’s history and head coach Zac Young his third sectional title.
Lyons trailed 20-10 early in the second quarter and then stormed back with an 18-1 run that extended into the third quarter. Perry would fight back to eventually take the lead behind 8 straight made free throws from senior Tyler Cowie. The Lions then took control of the game with a deep trifecta from Justice and an inside score by sophomore Benji Kemp during which he was fouled by Cowie and converted from the free throw line. Freshman Justin Smith, younger brother of Justice, nailed two free throws late to seal the championship.
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Justice Smith finished with 10 rebounds and three assists to go with his 33 points. He shot 10-27 from the field, 4-8 from long range, and was an impressive 9-11 from the charity stripe. Benji Kemp was next with 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a pair of steals. David Weaver and Justin Smith scored 5 apiece. Jordan Harris and Lucas Lucieer scored 2 points each to round out the scoring. Jordan Harris pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds.
Perry was led by Tyler Cowie who finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 blocks in his final high school basketball game. Austin Croll scored 12 points and freshman Michael John Grover scored 12 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.
The Lyons Lions’ 18 sectional titles places them second to East High in all of Section V. Lyons advances to face the Section V Class C1 Champion Northstar Christian Knights on Wednesday night in the Section V Class C State Play-In Game at Rush-Henrietta High School. You can hear that game, along with the Class A State Play-In Game between Wayne and Irondequoit, live on FingerLakes1.com.
FROM SOCIAL MEDIA:
Rochester, NY was just introduced to arguably the best 11th grader in Section V in 6’6” PG Justice Smith of Lyons. 32 points 10 rebounds in 58-53 championship win + tourney MVP. Lyons (Justice) Vs. North Star (Miles) Wednesday at RH winner goes to States get popcorn 🍿 @sectvbb pic.twitter.com/DVYpEBU6W6
— RAP Basketball (@RAP_Hoops) March 6, 2018
#boom. #leadthepride. @AthleticsLY pic.twitter.com/jpkWTyqqPI
— Zac Young (@Zacyoung25ad) March 6, 2018
Congrats to the boys basketball team on a hard fought victory over Perry for the section V title. The team now moves on to play Northstar Christian at Rush Henrietta on Wednesday at 6:30. #leadthepride
— LyonsLionsAthletics (@AthleticsLY) March 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/d_nice522/status/970850983327694850
Tournament MVP Justice Smith netted 21 of his game-high 32 points in the second half.. https://t.co/abu1loQ3Ki
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) March 6, 2018
LYONS Championship Parade route will start at Aldi's.
— Lyons Central School District (@LyonsSchools) March 6, 2018
