Lakey Delivers Again in Clutch for Wolverines

By ERIC SONDHEIMER

Feb. 1, 2000 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

WEST HILLS — Once again, an opponent thought it had a chance to defeat Harvard-Westlake High in the fourth quarter. Once again, the Wolverines refused to lose, not with Russell Lakey throwing in three-pointers from NBA range.

In the latest Mission League thriller, Chaminade forced an overtime period, then saw its fate sealed on a Lakey three-pointer with 42 seconds left in a 72-67 Harvard-Westlake victory Monday night.

Lakey finished with 32 points and eight assists. His decisive 24-foot shot gave the Wolverines a 68-64 lead and decimated the Eagles (14-6, 5-3 in league play).

“He picks his spots to hit a backbreaker and it takes the gas out of the team,” Coach Greg Hilliard said.

Harvard-Westlake (18-4, 9-0) keeps playing close games, but the Wolverines haven’t lost in more than a month.

“I don’t know what it is, but it’s so fun,” said Wolverine forward Eric Geffner, who had 23 points and 14 rebounds.

Without a true center, the Wolverines are on the verge of clinching their first Mission title in the post-Collins twins era. It’s a tribute to the coaching of Hilliard and the players’ unselfishness.

Geffner, a 6-foot-5 senior, was held scoreless in the last meeting against Chaminade and 6-9 center Scott Borchart.

“Borchart absolutely embarrassed me,” Geffner said.

This time, Geffner was more aggressive and played tough post defense against Borchart, who finished with 15 points and got off only two shots in the final 12 minutes.

There were five lead changes in the fourth quarter, but Chaminade had a chance for victory after Jordan O’Gilvie tied the score on a layup with 1:08 left in regulation. The Eagles had the ball for a final shot, but Tito Hill missed a jump shot with seven seconds remaining.

Harvard-Westlake was helped in overtime by two steals from guard John Karavas, who converted them into four points. But Lakey’s three-pointer was the clincher.

“Russell finds a way to do it,” Geffner said.

Lakey has the green light to shoot from almost anywhere.

“I do tell him he has to cross the half-court line,” Hilliard said.

Chaminade received 16 points from Erik Johnson, 15 from Hill and 13 from O’Gilvie.

No one would have imagined the Wolverines could be 9-0 at this point in the Mission season.

“We should lose based on our talent, but our heart pulls us through,” Lakey said.

Said Hilliard: “Every game is so close it’s like a chess match.”