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Yates challenged by a feisty Seven Lakes team but comes out on top as Joseph Young pours in 27 points

KATY - Seven Lakes (7-5) knew they would have their hands full with Yates (4-0) but this was their chance to show they could play with the high power Mighty Lions who came into Tuesday's game ranked #1 in the nation by MaxPreps.

Joseph Young helped Yates stave off a energized Spartan team in the second half, scoring 15 straight points during one stretch as the Lions moved to 4-0 on the year with their 88-76 win. It was a moral victory of sorts for Seven Lakes, given the fact that Yates came in averaging over 140 points per game.

Yates got out to an early 6-0 lead, which included a spectacular alley-oop, before Seven Lakes found some success offensively helping to keep things close as they trailed by only five at 22-17 after the first quarter.

Brandon Peters helped push the Yates lead to 33-21 with 3:56 to play when he connected for a two-point basket as the Lions threatened to pull away. Trey Pinkney responded by helping keep the Spartan offense in gear with a drive for a lay-up and foul and then an assist that helped slash the Lion lead down to 38-34.

Yates took an eight point lead into halftime and built an 11 point lead with just under five minutes to go in the third quarter but Seven Lakes responded with a three pointer and a blocked shot to keep things interesting.

Seven Lakes seized the momentum over the next several minutes but struggled a bit from the free throw line as they cut the Yates lead down to 58-56.

Clyde Santee and Young combined for five quick points to push the Lion lead to 63-58 before the Spartans scored again to cut the lead back to 63-60.

Yates offense responded with 12 unanswered points after that as they built a 15 point lead at 75-60 early in the fourth quarter. The Spartans were unable to cut the lead below double digits the rest of the way as Young went on to finish with a game-high 27 points to lead Yates to the 88-76 win in front of 2500 fans at the Merrell Center in Katy.