LUCAS — The Cubs woke from their hibernation midway through the second quarter Wednesday night.
After sleep-walking through the opening eight minutes, third-seeded Lucas came to life and cruised to a 79-41 win over No. 12 Crestline in a Division IV sectional semifinal game at the Cub Cave.
Lucas (18-5) trailed 18-10 late in the first quarter and 18-15 going into the second. The Cubs took their first lead of the night on a Logan Toms steal and layup with 4:39 to play before halftime.
“That is why you choose to play a (first-round) game instead of taking a bye,” Lucas coach Taylor Iceman said. “We were trying to work on some different things defensively and I think it kind of took our aggressive nature (away) and it carried over to our offense.
“They came out and played really well and shot the heck out of it tonight.”
Crestline’s Kody Lawhorn, a 5-foot-6 freshman sharpshooter, knocked down three 3-pointers in the first quarter. Derek McCunn, a 5-foot-8 junior, connected on a triple of his own and had five first-quarter points.
“We played them twice in the regular season. We kind of knew what to expect,” Crestline coach Paul Webb said. “The kids were fired up to go and that’s fun basketball right there.
“We told them they had nothing to lose. Just let it fly and … we’ll see where we’re at.”
The Cubs, who swept the regular season series en route to their sixth straight Mid-Buckeye Conference crown, took control during the final five minutes of the half.
Toms, who recently became the program’s career scoring king, scored 10 of his game-high 21 points during the second quarter.
“Logan Toms is pretty awesome. I can’t say enough good things about how good of a player he is,” Webb said. “His on-ball defense is unbelievable. He’s a great leader and he can finish at the rim like nobody’s business.”
Leading 41-28 at the half, Lucas put the game away in the third period. The Cubs outscored the Bulldogs (4-19) 21-9 in the frame for a 62-37 advantage going to the final quarter.
Aidan Culler and Keaton Day each scored a dozen for the Cubs. Grayson Jackson added 11 and Zack Diehl had nine.
“We didn’t shoot the ball very well,” Iceman said. “It’s good to be able to play like that and still get a win.”
Carter Giesige led Crestline with 19 points. Lawhorn finished with 12 and McCunn added eight.
The Cubs will host No. 8 Monroeville in a sectional final at 7 p.m. Friday. The Eagles beat No. 6 Sandusky St. Mary 65-57 in overtime.
“We get to play here,” Iceman said. “It’s tournament time. You can’t come out asleep. If you do it against the wrong team, that will be all she wrote.”
Crestline’s entire roster will return next year.
“I cannot wait to get started,” Webb said. “I love this group. They do all the things I ask.
“They’re good kids and I’m going to get them there, whatever it takes.”