More than a year ago is a night the LaBrae Vikings won't forget.
It was Austin Haines' last-second jumper that lifted the Lakeview Bulldogs to their first win in the 2010-11 season on Dec. 17, 2010 inside the confines of Lakeview High School gymnasium, 44-42.
This time around, the Vikings won't be caught off guard as they enter tonight's game at LaBrae with a 10-0 mark.
The Vikings have been tested as they survived at Poland by two points and held off Brookfield by three at home this season.
You might point to the success of 6-foot-7 sophomore two-guard Peyton Aldridge, who averages 15.4 points and 10 rebounds per game for LaBrae's perfect record. Then, there's his defense which alters many shots of undersized players in the post and in the backcourt. Did I mention he also averages 3.2 assists a game or average 41.7 percent from 3-point range?
Then, there are Matt Szorady or John Richards, who can seemingly drain the 3 at moment's notice.
And, take in account Carl Brown or Szorady will dribble drive to the basket or play inside-out ball - passing to a teammate on the perimeter.
Add Carrington Herron in the post with 6.2 rebounds a game and you got a compete LaBrae team.
As for Lakeview (5-2), the Bulldogs survived a 50-49 scare against Niles Tuesday as they were without senior starters Louie Novakovich (14.4 points per game) and Anthony Franco (6.8 ppg.), who were both nursing injuries.
Lakeview will need both of them and Zach McDivitt (10.3 ppg.) against LaBrae, which soundly beat Garfield on Tuesday, 79-32.
Keys for the Bulldogs: Don't get in a track meet with LaBrae. Keep it low scoring and close down the passing lanes.
And, like he was for the Lakeview football team, it will be essential to get Franco on the floor. He averages 3.3 assists per game and distributes the ball like he did for the Bulldogs' football team as the team's quarterback.
RECORDS FALL: In the Dec. 29, 2011 game against LaBrae, Newton Falls sophomore Brooke Barreca broke the school's rebounding record by one with 18 against the Vikings.
In the same game, Danielle King tied the assists record with 12.
Also, the Tigers set a new standard in that game with 77 points, but broke that mark Thursday with 89 against Liberty. This is the third time Newton Falls broke its own mark. The Tigers scored 75 against Niles earlier this season.
MANN, HE'S GOOD: Liberty senior Jaylen Mann is an early player of the year candidate as he's averaging 20.3 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists a game.
BACK ON TRACK: Howland's girls basketball team has rallied since a Dec. 20, 2011 home loss to Solon, 68-53 and won its next four - including Thursday's 65-8 victory over Niles. Erika Nites (17.0 points), Taylor Williams (16.6 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.6 blocks) and Olivia Nicholas (4.9 assists) pace the Tigers (9-1).
PERFECT?HALF: Champion's girls were 14 of 14 from 2-point range in the first half of its 49-48 setback at Girard. The Golden Flashes finished the half 15 of 17.