Despite a 3-6 league record, the Bainbridge girls basketball team remains on top of the Metro’s Sound division with six games left in conference play.

“It’s very fortunate,” head coach Terry Lande said. “We’re not in the strongest division, and we hope to be the best team in our division – we’re improving.”

Despite a 53-41 loss to Lakeside (8-2 in the Metro, 9-5 overall), the team drew experience and confidence from the game.

“I thougth we stayed right with them until the last four, five minutes of the game then their expereince and basketball savvy kind of finished us off,” Lande said.

Senior Kasondra Totura, who scored 12 points Tuesday, averages a team-high nine points per game.

“Kas is mixing up her shot and not relying on a three-pointer,” Lande said. “She’s playing much improved defensive and she’s been shooting the ball nicely.”

Senior Rebecca Sharar, the team’s leading rebounder, had eight boards, four assists and three steals against Lakeside.

“She doesn’t get the big glaring numbers, but she has six or eight rebounds, and two or three steals a game,” Lande said.

Defensively, freshman Grace Kenyon has made great strides, Lande said.

“We usually put her on their best offensive player and she’s held most everyone below their average,” Lande said.

The Spartans have primarily used a seven-player rotation, but have gone deep into their bench at times.

“We’re getting minutes from all over the place and I think that we’re coming together right now, which was my goal,” Lande said.

The team plays its fourth consecutive non-division game against Franklin at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Boys basketball

The Spartans survived their first double-overtime game of the season and defeated Lakeside 56-52 Tuesday.

After scoring four points in 40 seconds to tie at the end of regulation, the Spartans (6-3 in the Metro, 9-4 overall) found themselves down 47-44 with nine seconds remaining in overtime.

Senior guard Will DiIorio brought the ball up the court and sank an NBA-range three-pointer, tying the game at 47 and taking the game to a second overtime.

“Last year we had a bunch of games in overtime, so it really helped us,” DiIorio said.

Senior forward Michael Stevenson put the Spartans ahead for the first time since regulation with a quick put-back, but Lakeside’s Lewis Cramer answered with a lay-up, 49-49.

DiIorio drilled a short-range jumper and Stevenson made a layup for the 53-49 lead.

With both teams in the bonus, the Spartans made their next three free throws for the seven-point lead.

But Lakeside’s Nic Lane drilled a three-pointer with 23 seconds to go up 56-52.

On the next possession, DiIorio was fouled and made both free throws.

While Lakeside couldn’t come up with a field goal, junior Carson Zajonc couldn’t convert his next two free throws, leaving the door open for the Lions with 21 seconds remaining. With seven seconds to go, the Lions came within three points when Lane made another three-pointer from the wing.

Sophomore Chris Bell was fouled on Bainbridge’s next possession, and missed both free throws.

With the last possession of double overtime, Lakeside’s trey didn’t fall, and Bainbridge came out with the 58-55 victory.

DiIorio had 20 points on seven-of-15 shooting and three blocks. Stevenson was four-for-six with nine points and eight defensive rebounds and three offensive boards. Bell finished the night with 16 points.

It was the team’s second game without starters Jimmy Baggett and Ryan Burris, who did not play due to a coach’s decision. Both players were on the bench but did not suit up.

Bainbridge faces Franklin (7-1 in the Metro, 7-6 overall) at 7 p.m. Tuesday.