By Chad Kean, Examiner Contributor
Tournament basketball has a cruel way of boiling everything down to one or two moments.
For Indian Lake, the season ended Tuesday night, March 3 just that way — one possession short.
The Lakers’ postseason run came to a heartbreaking close in a 45–43 loss to Preble Shawnee, but not before delivering a fourth-quarter surge that nearly flipped the entire night on its head.
Preble Shawnee controlled the early tempo, opening on a 10–0 run and dictating pace throughout much of the first quarter. Indian Lake managed just three shot attempts in the opening frame and trailed 12–5 after one, still searching for rhythm.
The second quarter felt more like Laker basketball. Indian Lake settled in offensively, attacking with confidence and putting up 12 points in the period. The Arrows, however, answered just enough to hold a narrow 20–17 advantage at the half.
Coming out of the break, Preble Shawnee again seized momentum. A 6–0 run to open the third stretched the margin, and the Arrow defense tightened its grip. By the end of three quarters, Indian Lake faced a 31–22 deficit and the weight of the moment.
Early in the fourth, that weight grew heavier. The Arrows built their lead to as many as 16 points, seemingly in full control.
And then the Lakers refused to let go.
With their season hanging by a thread, Indian Lake unleashed a fourth-quarter fury, exploding for 21 points in a frantic rally. Shots that wouldn’t fall earlier suddenly dropped with authority. Defensive stands ignited the offensive barrage, and the energy inside the gym flipped with every possession. The deficit didn’t just shrink — it evaporated — until the scoreboard glowed 43–43 and momentum wore Laker colors.
It was the kind of rally that defines a locker room — resilience, belief, urgency.
But tournament games are unforgiving.
A late foul sent Preble Shawnee to the free-throw line, where the Arrows calmly knocked down both attempts to regain the lead. Indian Lake had one final chance, inbounding with under five seconds remaining, but stepped on the end line with about a second left. Another quick foul followed. Though Preble Shawnee missed both free throws, the Lakers’ desperation heave after the rebound came up short.
And just like that, the season was over.
Avery Pequignot led the Lakers with 23 points, connecting on five 3-pointers in a determined offensive performance. Brody Reisinger added 13 points, while Cooper Hall finished with five and Colin Bendler added four.
