WAVERLY — Piketon raced out to a 19-9 first quarter lead over slow-starting Lynchburg-Clay, faltered to fall behind one point midway through the third quarter, then came up with a reserve tank of gas to down the Mustangs 74-59 in the semi-finals of the boys Division III Sectional tournament Tuesday in Waverly.

The Redstreaks (17-2) advanced to play the Adena-Eastern Brown winner in the title game Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

Lynchburg-Clay (7-14) trailed 21-13 at the first quarter break. Piketon, always looking for the fast break, went on a 10-3 run to lead 31-16 with just under three minutes to go in the quarter.

But the Mustangs went on a 12-3 run of its own over the remainder of the period and trailed by just five, 33-28, at the half.

The Redstreaks scored first in the third quarter, and Mustangs' coach Jason McLaughlin, determined they weren't going to run at will, used two of his timeouts in the first 1:30 of the quarter.

Jordan Brabson, a 6-foot-3 senior who plays more like he's 6-foot-6, was all over the boards for Piketon and his defense pushed the Mustangs into several mistakes.

He and Cody Smith pushed Piketon back in front 67-45 with 3:30 left in the fourth quarter as the Mustangs seemed to run out of gas.

Brabson finished with 22 points and Smith 21.

Gorman connected on five 3s and finished with 22 points for Lynchburg-Clay.

Piketon plays the winner of Eastern Brown and Adena in the sectional final on Saturday.

Piketon coach Jeff Lisath was unavailable for comment.

G. SAM PIATT can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 236.

Lynchburg-Clay 13 15 12 19 — 59

Piketon 21 12 14 27 — 74

Lynchburg — Puckett 2 0 4, Gorman 7 3 22, Davidson 3 0 7, Skaggs 3 1 8, Dehaas 4 1 10, Noll 3 2 9. Totals 22 7 59.

Piketon — Brabson 8 5 22, Brush 2 0 4, Lewis 1 0 2, Smith 8 5 21, Southworth 6 0 12, Legg, 6 1 13. Totals 31 11 74.

3-pointers — Lynchburg 8 (Gorman 5, Davidson 1, Skaggs 1, Dehaas 1); Piketon 1 (Brabson).

Records — Lynchburg-Clay 7-14, Piketon 17-2.