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Lakeland Community College's men's and women's basketball teams control their own destiny in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) standings as the regular season nears its end. Conference titles and playoff positioning will be determined this weekend when the Lakeland squads play their final OCCAC games.
On the men's side, Lakeland will tip-off in the final game of the regular season Saturday at home against the Edison State Chargers at 12:30 pm. Already having qualified for postseason play, Lakeland's record currently stands at 22-3 overall and 13-2 in conference play. If Lakeland wins Saturday, they will be conference champions for the fourth time in the past five seasons and earn the No. 1 seed in District play out of Ohio. The only year Lakeland did not capture the title during that span, the Lakers did not partipate due to COVID. The Lakers previously defeated the Chargers on Feb. 3, 97-76, in Piqua, Ohio.
At Saturday's game, current sophomores and Lakeland's inaugural 1968-69 men's basketball team and cheerleaders will be recognized.
Saturday's men's basketball timeline:
11:50 a.m. - Sophomore recognition for the men's team
12:30 p.m. - Tip-off against Edison State
Halftime - 1968-69 Men's basketball team and cheerleaders recognized
Following the game - if Lakeland wins, they will cut a net down to celebrate as conference champions.
The Lakeland women's basketball team is in a more unique situation. The Lakers currently sit at 12-8 overall and 8-3 in conference play. Lakeland is currently in three-way tie for first place with Edison State and Cuyahoga Community College, while Hocking College sits just one game back. The Laker women play host to the Chargers Saturday with a tentative game time of 3 p.m. The start time could be impacted by the Lakeland men's basketball game and post-game celebration, should they win. Lakeland previously played the Chargers on Feb. 3 and fell 86-70 in Piqua, Ohio. However, the Lakers have now won five straight and six of their last seven games to earn this opportunity. This is truly a winner take all for at least a share of a conference championship. If the Lakers win, they will at a minimum be conference co-champions; if the Chargers win, they too will at a minimum be conference co-champions. District play is a different story for Lakeland. If the women win, they will be guarateed a spot in District play. The seed is still to be determined and other games being played that day will have an impact on the seedings. However, if the Lakers lose, their postseason hopes will end due to tiebreakers.
Sophomores will be recognized prior to the game on Saturday.
Saturday's women's basketball timeline:
The Lakeland women's basketball sophomores will be recognized following the men's game and potential celebrations.
20 minutes after the women's basketball sophomore recognitions, the women's game will begin.
Following the game, if Lakeland wins, they will cut down the net to celebrate.
Show your #LakerPride and cheer on Lakeland's basketball teams with fellow fanatics!
Admission is free.