Heuvelton Downs Arch Rival Lisbon for Quarterfinal Win

#4 Eric Ross of Heuvelton puts up 2 points in traffic down the lane. Eric finished with a team-high 14 points against Lisbon.

Always an epic battle of Speed vs. Brawn when Heuvelton and Lisbon step on the court during the playoffs. Last season Lisbon a 7th seed upset the second seeded Bulldogs, as the Knights rode their glory all the way the Class "D" Title game. The Bulldogs looked to upend that loss and gain the playoff respect back. At the start of the game Heuvelton quick went up 5-0 as though it was going to be a blowout early. But Lisbon settled down and gained their ground as they trailed the Bulldogs 10-4 after one quarter of play. In the second the Bulldogs began to get great fast break lay-up looks but failed to finish keeping the Golden Knights in the game. Lisbon started to make a small run in with 5 minutes to play, but 1st team all-northern pick Jordan Rayburn picked up his second and third found within 30 seconds of each other and Heuvelton took advantage; pulling to a 23-15 halftime lead. Lisbon, always a dark horse in the playoffs, looked to comeback quick and tried to comeback quick, but the Bulldogs 2-3 zone defense took the Knights inside looks away and forced them to shoot from beyond the arc. Heuvelton still looking to put Lisbon away missed numerous opportunities in the third from the foul line and one could gain 3 more points on the Knights. The Bulldogs led 35-24 after three. In the fourth, the Knights really started to heat up from beyond the arc. They shot their way back into the game, cutting the Bulldog lead to single digits. Down the stretch the Bulldogs used a 1-2-2 half-court trap and stifling man-to-man defense to control the Knights tempo. The Knights cut the Bulldog lead to as close as three 49-46 with under a minute to play. But the Bulldogs hit some big free throws at the end to win the game 56-48. Josh Lassail had a fine senior season finishing up with a 12 point effort. Brandon Robinson had the game high with 15. Heuvleton's Nick Larche had 13, Jay Hebert had 11 for the Bulldogs, and Senior, 1st team all-northern pick Eric Ross led the Bulldog charge with 14 points. The Bulldogs will face Harrisville at 6 p.m at SUNY Potsdam's Maxcy Hall Gymnasium on Thursday night.