By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Sometimes, it takes just a little spark to start a roaring fire.

With the Lakers holding a 53-47 lead over Fryeburg Academy Friday night, freshman Brock Gibbons swished a 3-point shot.

It triggered a flurry of haymakers. The Lakers scored five straight 3-pointers — two by Jacob Chadbourne (16 points, 7 rebounds) and one each by Jacob Stone (6 points, 6 rebounds) and Evan Duprey (9 points, 5 assists) — in the fourth quarter to roll past the Raiders 70-56.

Senior Noah Duprey (game high 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals) rallied the Lakers from a 30-27 halftime deficit with a 3-pointer to start the third quarter, and closed the frame with two offensive rebounds/putbacks along with a steal which he converted into a layup with 50.1 seconds left as the Lakers built a 52-42 lead.

“Noah did a great job crashing the boards and scoring on put backs and also making some big shots from the outside. On that steal and score, Noah has played a lot of basketball and anticipates really well. It’s little plays like that a lot of guys don’t make, but are difference makers,” LR Coach Ryan Martin said. “We started hitting shots, which enabled us to set up our full-court defense.”

The Lakers lead 15-11 in the first as Evan Duprey drained a 3-pointer and Jackson Libby (7 points, 4 rebounds) converted a rebound into points.

“Evan is putting his mind to his ball handling. He’s a real hard worker. He’s disciplined. He really wants to get better and puts in the time, and it’s starting to show. He’s getting better and better each game,” Coach Martin said.

Fryeburg flipped the script in the second quarter behind Bobby Hallam, who netted a 3-pointer and scored 6 points. Jordan Zerner broke a 27-27 tie with a 3-pointer from the right corner.

While the Raiders were without center “Big Will” Hallam, the Lakers saw their center, Jacob Stone, saddled with foul trouble for most of the half. Senior Grady Garland gave LR a much-needed lift, making his presence felt at both ends of the court. He scored 8 of his 10 points in the second quarter to keep the Lakers close. Garland had a team high 8 rebounds.

“Grady just plays hard all the time. Every single offensive rebound he is going for. He always puts pressure on the other team. He does so much for this team. We are a better team when Grady is healthy and playing,” Coach Martin said.

Fryeburg’s version of someone stepping up was senior guard Ben Vlug, who showed good burst getting to the rim, scoring 10 points. Camden Johnson chipped in 12 points, Gunnar Saunders 9, while Boone Douglass and Zerner each had 4 points, Liam Quinn 2 and Bryce Richardson 2.

Coach Martin liked the way his club rallied and kept their cool.

“We know Fryeburg is a tough, physical team. To beat a team like that, you have to be tougher and more physical and more disciplined,” Coach Martin said. “It was getting a little chippy, so we had to keep our composure. It was really the big focus, as was getting back on defense.”

Coach Martin added he likes the direction his club is heading in.

“We’re a team that is getting better every day. I full-court pressure defense has improved a lot. Our big focuses — we had to be stronger and a better defensive team. We’re in the weight room twice a week and spend 30 minutes on defense every practice. Our guys have bought into it because they want to be a very good team,” Coach Martin said.