The buzz that filled Patterson's packed gym Tuesday was centered on two of the area's most dynamic guards: Lake Clifton senior Josh Selby and the home team's freshman sensation, Aquille Carr.
The two standouts didn't disappoint, taking turns dazzling the crowd with an array of baskets inside and on the perimeter.
With the two players basically offsetting each other - Carr taking game-high honors with 39 points and Selby right behind with 36 - the difference proved to be the No. 10 Lakers' intensity in the second half.
The Lakers turned a two-point deficit mid-way through the third quarter into an eight-point lead going into the fourth quarter, further padding the lead before holding off a Patterson surge to come away with an 86-80 win over the No. 12 Clippers.
Dominating work on the boards and timely stops aided the Lakers in the key stretch, with Jeff Fields (16 points), Dwayne Washington (16 points) and Leron Fisher (11 points) scoring big baskets. Selby scored nine points in the fourth quarter.
It's the fifth straight win for the defending Class 3A state champion Lakers (8-3), who are starting to find their way with a largely new nucleus.
"We're playing with a lot of confidence right now. We started out a little slow, but we just needed to build our chemistry, and right now it's building and we're looking a lot better as a team," Selby said.
A jumper from Selby gave the Lakers a 77-66 lead with 2:50 left, but the Clippers (9-4) showed no quit. Carr scored 10 points in the closing minutes, including a driving layup with 25 seconds left that cut the lead to 82-78, but Selby hit two free throws shortly after and Fields hit two more to close the game out.
Despite the setback, Patterson coach Harry Martin was pleased with the team's effort and Carr's performance.
"We had a freshman against a senior on a big stage, so I'm very proud of Aquille. He kept battling and battling," he said.
LC-Selby 36, Fields 16, L. Fisher 11, Johnson 3, D. Washington 16, McCormick 4. Totals 32 18-27 86.
P-Carr 39, Lewis 14, D. Williams 12, T. Fisher 7, Addison 4, Woodard 2, Carter 2. Totals 30 16-20 80.
Half: P, 41-39.