Patterson Lumberjacks chop their way to Cajundome

Just like on the gridiron, Patterson’s success on the hardwood is heavily determined by the play of senior Terrance Johnson.

The 6-foot, 3-inch point guard was unruffled as the Lumberjacks nearly blew double-digit leads twice in the second half and survived for a 70-67 victory over the Winnfield Tigers Friday night in the Class 3A quarterfinals.

The win puts Patterson (25-4) in the boys’ Top 28 tournament for the first time since 2002.

“It feels great to be in the Top 28. We feel like we should have been here the last two years,” said Johnson, who led Patterson with 19 points, five assists and three blocks. “We finally came to the edge, took the leap and got there.”

The No. 3 Lumberjacks play the second-seeded Vidalia Vikings (29-1) in the semifinals tonight at 8 p.m. at the Cajundome on the University of Louisiana-Lafayette campus.

Patterson is competing for its first state championship since winning the 2A state title in 1998.

“This is an unbelievable feeling. Look at them. They’re enjoying this,” said fourth-year Lumberjacks head coach Ryan Jansen, as the Patterson Gymnasium crowd celebrated on the court.

“Those four seniors I have have gone through a lot,” he added. “The last two years we’ve lost to the eventual state champions (Wossman in 2008 and Karr in 2007). I told them if they just played hard, everything would work out. I’m just so proud of them.”

Lumberjack seniors Troy Watson, Landon Lightfoot and Willis Verdine contributed greatly to the win with 15, 13 and seven points, respectively.

“Patterson hasn’t been to the Top 28 since we were in junior high,” Lightfoot said. “I’m excited to go play. I’m ready and it should be fun.”

Patterson jumped out to a hot start after giving up the first basket of game.

Behind Johnson and Watson slashing into the lane for easy buckets and Lightfoot hitting three pointers, the Lumberjacks held a 31-19 lead halfway through the second quarter.

“We wanted to start fast because everybody we talked to said how fast Winnfield gets out and how well they play in the beginning of a game,” Jansen said.

But the Tigers fought back with timely blocks and pressure defense. They outscored Patterson 15-5 between the midpoints of the second and third quarters to get within two, 36-34.

Eventually, the Lumberjacks got back to its own tenacious defense, which forced 16 Winnfield turnovers in the game, to build the lead back up to 10 points in the fourth quarter.

“We’re a scrappy team that never lets up,” Johnson said. “We’re going to fight until the end.”

Johnson, a two-time, first team All-District and 2007 first team All-State quarterback, controlled the ball with both flash and efficiency to keep Winnfield at bay the rest of the game.

“That’s his game. He’s very patient with the ball, strong with the dribble,” Jansen said. “He’s a great floor leader. He’s a quarterback in football and he’s our quarterback on the court. He battles and he hates to lose.”

The final minutes came down to Patterson’s free throw shooting and Winnfield’s three-point shooting.

Winnfield hit four three-pointers in the final minute of the game, while Patterson went four-for-eight from the stripe. The Tigers only trailed 69-67 with 1.8 seconds left when they fouled Lightfoot. He made one of two free throws to put Patterson up 70-67.

“I was nervous,” Lightfoot admitted. “After I missed the first one, I had to make the second. I knew we were going to play defense and win the game. “

Defense has been Patterson’s identity all season, but Winnfield was only the third team to score over 60 points against the Lumberjacks all season. Jensen will have his team refocused on defense for tonight’s contest against Vidalia.

“When we come to practice, we’re not going to be happy because we’re not supposed to give up 67 points to anybody,” the coach said.

Along with their best efforts, the Lumberjacks also want the deafening, rabid crowd that was in Patterson Gymnasium Friday night to the Cajundome.

“I wish every game could be like this. I love it,” Jansen said. “I’m glad my guys could experience this type of atmosphere because this is basketball. Those seniors played hard for four years to experience a game like this. This is why you play the game.”

The Lumberjacks know getting the two victories needed to claim another state championship will not be easy, but they like their odds.

“Our chances are all right,” Watson said. “All of our fans are behind us. All of our community is behind us. That’s going to help us work and play even harder in Lafayette.”

Patterson senior point guard Terrance Johnson attempts a tough fade way jumper against Winnfield in a 70-67 win. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF