Bulldogs are Runner-Up to Lake County

McKENZIE (February 23) — The District 14-1A Boys Basketball Tournament concluded Monday at Bethel University's Crisp Arena. In the championship game, the Gleason Bulldogs fell behind early to Lake County but climbed back to trail by just a point after three quarters. The Falcons held on in the fourth to claim a 53-50 win and the district title.

South Fulton defeated Dresden in the consolation game. All four teams advanced to the Region 7 tournament.

Following the games, district awards were presented.

All-District players were Gleason's Kade Sawyers (MVP), Drake Lehmkuhl and Brody Sanders; Dresden's Landon Floyd and Cannon Floyd; Greenfield's Easton Sullivan, Nick Brown and Cruze Porter; South Fulton's Grant Joyner, Jakob Cooley and Charles Michael Mulcahy; and Lake County's Jataveion Ricks and Jax Poole.

Gleason's Mike Riggs was named Coach of the Year.

All-Defensive players were Gleason's Ashton Morgan and Miami Woolridge; Greenfield's Cruze Porter; Lake County's Ka'Devon Gross; and South Fulton's Charles Michael Mulcahy (Defensive Player of the Year).

All-Tournament players were Gleason's Kade Sawyers and Drake Lehmkuhl; Dresden's Connor Floyd; South Fulton's Clark Rice; and Lake County's Jataveion Ricks, Mark Owens and Jax Poole (MVP).

All-Academic players (seniors, 3.0 GPA or higher) were Gleason's Brock Dilday, Wylan Gustafson, Drake Lehmkuhl, Trey Mayo, Ashton Morgan, Parker Morgan, C.J. Reed, Brody Sanders, Kade Sawyers, Wes Wainscott and Miami Woolridge; Dresden's Grey Forrester; Greenfield's Caden Sparkman and Easton Sullivan; Lake County's Charliyah Butler, Ka'Devon Gross and Catelyn Ripley; and South Fulton's Charles Michael Mulcahy.

In the title game, Lake County jumped out to a 15-7 lead after the first frame, led by Jataveion Ricks with five points. Jax Poole scored four, and Aikee Ward and Mark Owens each hit a three-pointer. Bulldog Kade Sawyers scored four, and Drake Lehmkuhl had three points.

Gleason had a 15-14 edge in the second quarter, led by Sawyers with seven points. Lehmkuhl scored six with a three-pointer, and Ashton Morgan had a pair. Poole led the Falcons with four points. J'Braylon Mays and Nigel Clark each hit a three, and Ricks and Cade Lanier each had a pair. At the half, Lake County led 29-22.

The Bulldogs enjoyed a 19-13 tilt in the third, led by Sawyers, Lehmkuhl and Brody Sanders with six points each. Miami Woolridge hit a free throw. Owens led the Falcons with six points. Ricks, Mays and Xander Hertel each had a pair, and Poole hit a freebie. Heading into the final frame, Lake County led 42-41.

The Falcons sealed the win with an 11-9 advantage in the fourth, led by Owens and Poole with four points each. Gross scored three. Lehmkuhl scored five for Gleason. Sawyers and Morgan each added a pair.

Bulldog Drake Lehmkuhl led all scorers with 20 points, including a three-pointer. Kade Sawyers scored 19 points.

Mark Owens and Jax Poole led Lake County with 13 points each, Owens with a three.