St. Peter’s pockets 1,000th win with OT tourney upset at Lucas

LUCAS — Roy Shoulders has seen a thing or two in a coaching career spanning more than 35 years.

The St. Peter’s boys basketball boss has coached the Spartans’ boys and girls teams, reached the Elite Eight, and sat on the bench for some tough seasons, too.

But the 59-year-old brought home a rare piece of glory on Tuesday night for a program that has seen the highest of highs in Ohio high school basketball.

A two-time state champion, St. Peter’s earned its 1,000th boys basketball victory with a 45-42 Division VII sectional semifinal win at 8th-seeded Lucas.

(Photos courtesy of Jason Crundwell)

The victory sends the ninth-seeded Spartans into the Feb. 21 sectional title game at top-seeded Norwalk St. Paul.

“We’re going to go up to Norwalk on Friday night and put up a fight!” Shoulders said.

Markeis Johnson pumped in a game-high 18 points to pace St. Peter’s, while senior Dmoni Lentes chipped in 13 points.

The game was sweet revenge for St. Peter’s, which lost twice to the Cubs during the regular season, a 44-35 overtime defeat in the season opener on Dec. 6, and a 53-52 verdict at Lucas on Jan. 17.

This time, on the same court as their last encounter, the tables were turned.

Lucas led 14-11 after the first quarter and 22-19 at halftime. The Spartans edged in front 34-32 after the third period, before the two squads battled to a 40-40 tie at the end of regulation.

St. Peter’s tough defense limited the Cubs to just two points in the extra session to advance.

Cooper Day spearheaded the Lucas offense with 14 points, while Bobby Grover chipped in 10 points.

This marks St. Peter’s first tournament win in six years. The Spartans have won six straight games, and will take an 8-10 mark to Norwalk on Friday night.

Waiting for them will be the Firelands Conference champion Flyers, who have a 17-5 record.

Lucas finishes the year at 4-18.

In recent action on Feb. 11, Mansfield St. Peter’s faced off against Bucyrus and Lucas took on Bellville Clear Fork on Feb. 11 at Clear Fork High School.

Check out our complete boys basketball roundup to stay up-to-date on all the action.

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