Lutie starts season with overtime win

The Lutie Indians started off their high school basketball season with a 'nail-biter Nov. 20 at home against Sparta. The Indians jumped off to a 1-0 start after beating Sparta 62-60 in overtime.

The Indians jumped out to a 13-9 lead after one quarter and led 28-23 at the half. A poor offensive third quarter left the Indians flat, and they found themselves tied at 49-all at the final buzzer. Lutie outscored Sparta 15-13 in the OT period to collect the win.

"In the overtime period Sparta got up on us, and we fought back and were down by one point with 10 seconds to go," said Lutie coach Brett Mitchell. "Jake Christeson got free and made a three with one second left to put us on top," the coach said. The Indians held on to get the W.

Christeson sank a similar triple to send the game into overtime. He finished with 13 points on the night while Dylan Burks led the Indians with 15 points and Stephen Andrews followed with 14 points and 10 boards.

"The boys played extremely hard and never gave up," Mitchell said.

The Indians were scheduled to play in the Koshknong tournament this week.

Girls lose

Meanwhile the Lady Indians were clobbered by Sparta, 60-18.

"We are a very young team this year with most of the girls being freshman and sophomores," said Lutie coach Adam Grant. "They are learning more and more every day. Right now we just need more experience. I am pleased that they played hard from start to finish and our defense was good at times. We will just keep taking each game one at a time and try to improve each night."

The Lady Indians were scheduled to host Greenwood Tuesday. Details of that game were not available at press time. They are also scheduled to host Cabool Thursday. Action starts at 6 p.m.

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