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Spiller and King Propel Lakeside Past Juanita in District Playoff
By Steve Dion

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Lakeside senior Kallin Spiller

In a topsy-turvy elimination game on Friday between Lakeside and Juanita, a late momentum swing sparked by Kallin Spiller and Kimijah King propelled the Lions to a dramatic victory.

Junior Tea Adams carried the bulk of the Rebels offensive production netting a game-high 24 points, many of which scored in transition. Shalexxus Aaron added a dozen as well in addition to a major role in the paint pulling down key rebounds. A three-pointer at the halftime buzzer by Lakeside’s Kelly Keen cut the Juanita lead to a single point heading into the break.

Trailing by six with less than three minutes remaining, the Lions were on the ropes and needed spark. Kallin Spiller buries a critical three point to cut the deficit to one possession. Lakeside followed up the bucket with defensive stops to set up Kimijah King with a pair of buckets to take the lead with less than a minute remaining. Juanita was unable to knock down its contested desperation shot from the corner at the buzzer. The Lions bench sprung from their chairs with excitement after a come-from-behind victory by a single point. Afterward Lions Head Coach Patrick Chinn talked the mentality heading into the game stating, “If we lose, the team is better than us. We’re trying not to beat ourselves. We’re trying to make enough plays to get out of there.”

The win keeps Lakeside alive for another day as they await their matchup for the fifth-place seeding game with the next opponent set to be the winner of Rainier Beach and Roosevelt.

The Final Score
Lakeside 57, Juanita 56.

Top Performers:

Lakeside
Kimijah King- 21 points
Kallin Spiller- 17 points

Juanita
Tea Adams- 24 points