Seven Lakes has learned to play under pressure.

The Spartans have become a tested squad throughout the year, facing tough games throughout the season in non-district and throughout the first half of district play.

Seven Lakes has been steadily growing and getting better, but one thing they had lacked in district play was a win in a game where they were tested all the way to the wire.

The Spartans found a way to earn a signature win on Wednesday, overcoming one of the strongest teams in the district in Cinco Ranch, beating the Cougars 68-66 on a last-second shot and moving into second place in the district standings in the process.

“That’s why we gave these young guys as many tests as we could early in the season is for moments like this,” said Seven Lakes head coach Shannon Heston. “You have to be battle-tested. There were times early in the season that they weren’t ready for these moments, but because they went through that, they were ready in January, and that’s when these things matter. They have grown and gone through things, which prepared them to come through in these situations.”

Sean Mwesigwa ended up being the difference maker in the game, coming up with the deciding rebound and score with eight seconds remaining. The Spartans held for a late shot, which went long over the rim. Mwesigwa was there waiting and the junior gathered the rebound, went back up for a putback, and scored before the Spartans defense came up with a final stop to clinch the game.

“Our coaches always tell us to get on the high side for rebounds and that’s what I did,” Mwesigwa said. “I knew the ball would come to me if it missed, I got my hands on it and went back up to make a play. I’m just happy I was able to help us get the win.”

Cinco Ranch jumped out to the lead and led 22-17 after the first quarter, but Seven Lakes bounced back to take a 35-28 lead at the half. The Cougars responded in the third and went into the final quarter leading 51-49 before Seven Lakes pulled away in the dying moments of the fourth. Mwesigwa’s 13 points and game-winner were a big part of the win and sophomore Dean Spencer also played a huge part, scoring 15 points and coming up with some huge rebounds while also playing strong defense.

“I’ve just gotten better at attacking the basket and creating for others,” Spencer said. “That’s my role in the offense and I’ve just gotten more comfortable and better with it as the season has gone along. If it’s there I’ve gotten better about shooting it, if it’s not, I have to find that open man for the three.”

The Spartans defense also played a major role in the win, as the team did enough defensively against the dynamic Jones-Bynum brothers down the stretch to get the win. It’s a challenge that the entire team took on and that paid off with a win in a gutsy effort as Seven Lakes will continue to build off this and onto bigger things.

“I’m proud of our guys for how they played down the stretch,” Heston said. “We made the right plays and on defense in the final seconds we made things very hard on them without panicking. The biggest thing you can do is not panic in those situations, but our guys keep their calm in that split-second moment and I’m so proud of all of our guys for that and how they played tonight.”

District 19-6A

Seven Lakes 68, Cinco Ranch 66

Points: (SL) Dean Spencer 15, Sean Mwesigwa 13, Isaiah Santos 10, AmenEl Tadesse 10, Tillman Jaramillo 9, Jose Martins, 6, Ayden Clarke 5; Dylan Jones-Bynum 26, Prince Jones-Bynum 13, Kellen LeCronier 6, Noah Pearce 5, Isaiah Norman 5, Joseph Kanyinda 3, Brayden Gonzalez 2, Joseph Melijah Battiste 2, Campbell Turner 2;

Halftime: Seven Lakes 35-28; 3-Pointers: (SL) Tadesse 2, Clarke, Mwesigwa, Jaramillo; (CR) Dylan Jones-Bynum 2, Prince Jones-Bynum 2, Pearce, Norman, Kanyinda; Records: Seven Lakes 22-5, 6-2; Cinco Ranch 21-4, 5-2;