PORTLAND — Poland players and fans who were around for the fairy tale tournament shocker against Greely two years ago likely were amped for the sequel on Saturday afternoon, when the No. 8 Knights nudged within a point of top-seeded Lake Region three times in the third quarter.

This rally, this bid to become a permanent piece of playoff folklore, just lacked that certain something. Namely, the go-ahead bucket that would have torn the roof off Portland Expo.

Instead of buckling, the Lakers simply turned up the wick, set aside one final overture early in the fourth period and closed out a 64-50 Class B South boys’ basketball quarterfinal victory.

“We had some opportunities,” Poland coach Tyler Tracy said. “They would go on a run. Then we would go on a run and we’d miss a foul shot to tie it or a layup to cut it back to one or two. Then they would go another run and get a stretch.”

As for any and all attempts to slow down Lake Region senior point guard Jack Lesure, well, that might be the very definition of stretch.

Lesure led all scorers with 22 points, 13 in the second half, and padded that with 15 rebounds, five steals and four assists.

“He’s our leader. Everyone knows that. They all feed off him,” Lake Region coach John Mayo said. “He’s been doing it all year long. He rebounds for us. He makes the best passes. He scores when he needs to, but he’ll share it. He’ll do the little things like get a steal or be in the passing lane.”

Marcus DeVoe and Nick Wandishin added 10 points apiece for Lake Region (17-2), which draws No. 4 Lincoln in the semifinals at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, a few blocks away at Cross Insurance Arena.

Foul trouble plagued Poland (9-11). John Fossett and Patrick Kuklinski, senior ties to that regional championship team from two years ago, each missed a big chunk of the second quarter with three personals. Fossett left the game with 3:40 to go and Poland trailing 19-15.

Somewhat miraculously, it was still a four-point margin at the half. Greg Leighton supplied five points off the bench. Backdoor cuts by Leighton and Nate Chouinard produced consecutive buckets to close the quarter. The Knights could have crept even closer, but for the missed front end of a one-and-one with four seconds left.

“That shows show how tough we are,” Tracy said. “John and Pat came out, and that group that was in there kept battling, kept getting stops to keep us in it and be only down by four going into the half.”

Leighton hit two free throws to make it a 35-33 Lakers’ lead with 3:50 to go in the third. Alex Langadas’ hook shot and a drive by Lesure provided some space.

Caleb Hodgkin and Fossett later bagged back-to-back buckets to whittle it down to four once again, only to see Lesure’s traditional 3-point play make it 43-36 with eight minutes to go.

“It makes for a good environment, a good experience. It was a little close, but I had faith,” Lesure said. “Coach has been stressing all year to go fast and push the ball. As long as we had the stamina to keep going and play defense, it was good.”

Kuklinski’s hoop pulled Poland within five, 48-43, before the Lakers rattled off eight without a reply. Lesure was responsible for the final six.

Wandishin also scored six in the fourth quarter.

“You’re always concerned in these games unless you’re up 30 with about a minute ago,” Mayo said. “But they’ve been here before. I’m pretty senior-laden. These guys are used to being in those spots.”

Fossett fought off the early difficulties to put up 18 points and 16 rebounds in his final game. Chouinard added 11 points.

“I couldn’t be more proud or happy with how my guys played tonight. They did everything I could have wanted them to do, everything I expected them to do. We just couldn’t get over the hump,” Tracy said. “We had a couple of breakdowns, and Lake’s so good. They’re seniors. They take advantage. We would make one or two mistakes in a row, and they would make us pay for it.”

koakes@sunjournal.com