The Trojans did what they have done all year; find a way to win no matter what the circumstances. Although the Trojans were a model of consistency throughout the game, and even held Renton to only two second quarter points, Auburn still found themselves tied with the Indians late in the final quarter on their own court.
Renton on the other hand, struggled at times, but relied on long runs and big three pointers, along with a three pointer from Carlos Rhodes to tie the game late in the fourth. Rhodes came up huge for the Indians all night, scoring 14 points in the losing effort.
Despite a decidedly different performance by both teams, Auburn took possession with eight seconds left on the clock, needing a basket to break a tie at 62-62.
That’s when Carlo Lavoie made perhaps the play his high school career, cutting backdoor to the basket, wrangled a pass from teammate Jacob Guinn and hit a lay-up just before the horn to win 64-62, and take the top seed from the SPSL/Seamount subdistrict into next week’s 3A West Central District’s tournament.
While Lavoie was the hero at the end of the game, he was helped by T.J Stafford’s 19 points as well as 17 points from Ryan Snowden. Lavoie scored 10, but it was his game winning lay-up that won the game that kept his team perfect.
Renton (19-2) will take the second seed from the subdisrict into districts, and will have to return to Auburn high next Wednesday at 6 p.m. to try to qualify for state.
Auburn (21-0) gets to stay in the comfortable confines of home, playing next Wednesday at 8 p.m in their own gym.