The Friday SCS Lakers U12s battled to an exciting 37-37 tie against the SCS Falcons at home, moving their record to 1-1-1 in what proved to be a thrilling back-and-forth contest. The game featured multiple lead changes and demonstrated the team's resilience and determination throughout both halves.

 

Jai Singh gave the Lakers a strong start in the first half, scoring early to tie the game 2-2. After falling behind, the team showed outstanding character by responding with clutch free throws from Syd Malveda and Kyron T to tie it 4-4, before Singh put them ahead 6-4 with another basket. Josh Evans emerged as the first half's leading scorer, netting 6 points on efficient 4-of-5 shooting from the field, including back-to-back baskets that helped tie the game at 10-10. Evans continued his hot streak with another basket to give the Lakers a 13-12 lead, and Kayson C added a pair of baskets to help the team take a narrow 17-16 advantage into halftime.

 

The second half saw both teams trading baskets in an intense battle. Despite the Falcons opening with an 8-point scoring streak to take a 22-17 lead, the Lakers never gave up. Kayson C, who finished tied for the team lead with 10 points on impressive 5-of-10 shooting, and Jai Singh, who also scored 10 points while shooting 50% from the field, led the comeback effort with crucial baskets down the stretch. The Lakers showed tremendous heart by fighting back from multiple deficits, with contributions from the entire roster, including Ethan Espiritu and Syd Malveda, providing key scores when needed.

 

In a dramatic finish, Singh's basket with seconds remaining gave the Lakers a 37-36 lead, but the Falcons managed to tie it with a free throw as time expired. While the tie might feel disappointing, this was an outstanding team effort that showcased the Lakers' fighting spirit and balanced scoring attack, with multiple players stepping up in crucial moments throughout this entertaining contest.