The Queens Grant High School Stallions dropped an important game in the final conference standings as they lost to the undefeated Pine Lake Prep Pride who are the conference regular season champion.

With the loss the Stallions fall to fifth place behind Union Academy and looks like they will have to play them on the road on Monday night to begin the conference tournament.  The Stallions are now 9-13 overall and 5-7 in their conference.

After the senior night festivities the game started off with the Stallions playing a tight fast paced basketball game.  Junior Jah’Quez Sanders and  sophomore LB Boyette kept the Stallions close along with seniors Khalil Chapman and Prince Lemons who were doing a good job under the boards and driving the lanes.  Queens Grant jumped out to a 5-0 lead and then the Pride started hitting their 3-point shots while their two quick guards D’Marco Small and Eito Yuminami started to penetrate the lanes along the baseline for lay-ups.  By the end of the first period the Stallions were down 20-16.

In the second period the teams exchanged baskets and the Pride continued to hit big 3-pointers to open up their lead to 42-30 at the intermission.  However, the Stallions remained in striking distance for a second half comeback.

In the third and fourth period the Pride proved to have to much talent and determination while they continued keeping pressure on the Stallions defensively and beat the home team on fast breaks, controlled the boards for second shot opportunities while making 3-pointers for a high percentage which proved to be the back breaker for Coach Forsythe and his running Stallions.

Pine Lake is a solid basketball team with an 18-6 record overall and 12-0 in their  conference.  The four starting seniors all scored in double figures and guard D’Marco Small had a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds.  Yuminami added 18 points, Alex Cuff 19 points and Joshua Barnette 17.  Their bench is strong for a 1A school program and they are ranked 158th in the state.

Meanwhile, the Stallions scoring leader Jah’Quez Sanders netted 21 points, LB Boyette 17, Khalil Chapman 12 and Prince Lemons 11 points in the loss for the home team.