On Tuesday night at King’s Fork, King’s Fork and Lakeland went to double overtime. Lakeland and Nansemond River outdid even that on Thursday night at Lakeland.

The Cavaliers, led by 38 points by David Barnes, beat Nansemond River in four overtimes, 97-93.

Nansemond River led 61-51 early in the fourth period. From that point, Barnes scored 24 of Lakeland’s 42 points through the last five minutes of regulation then the four four-minute overtime periods. Barnes was 16-of-17 at the foul line with 8-of-8 of those shots coming in the overtimes.

Tony Smith had 25 points, seven rebounds and six steals for the Cavaliers. Barnes also had eight rebounds, five assists and three steals.

For NR, Dion Bivens had 26 points and seven rebounds. David Long had 23 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks.

Pandemonium in Lakeland’s gym became the norm by the end of the night as both teams had numerous dramatic opportunities to win the game. For much of the fourth period, then all four overtimes, most or all of the Cavalier and Warrior fans remained on their feet.

From NR’s 61-51 lead in with about five minutes left in the fourth quarter, a drive for a three-point play and a drive for a lay-up, both by Barnes, sparked Lakeland. A three-pointer by Justin Watson tied the game, 65-65, with 2:40 left.

Barnes made a pair at the line to give Lakeland a 71-69 lead with 1:08 left. The Warriors answered when Bivens drove the lane, made the shot and was fouled, then made the free throw with 0:42 left.

Barnes was fouled on the inbounds pass and made one, then missed what turned out to be his only missed free throw of the game.

Lakeland had the last chance to win the game in regulation, but a running shot in the lane by Barnes was no good.

Lakeland started the first overtime with three players fouled out and midway through the first overtime, Justin Kee made it four disqualified Cavs.

Lakeland took the lead on two free throws by Barnes with 0:29 left. Another three-point play on a drive by Bivens nearly saved the night for the Warriors. Bivens’ play made it 81-80 NR with 0:15 left.

Smith raced the length of the court and was fouled in the NR lane with 8.9 seconds left. Smith missed one, then made the second to tie the score. NR still had time for Bivens to get off a 12-foot jumper in the lane, but it was off the mark.

In the second overtime, each team scored one field goal. In the closing seconds, Neil McKoy missed a shot in traffic in the paint for the Cavs, then a last-second 40-foot shot by NR’s Steve Skinner was long. McKoy’s shot came on his first time with the ball in the game as the foul trouble forced all 12 Cavalier players into the game.

In the third overtime, Nate Nicholson’s three-pointer gave NR an 88-85 lead with 2:34 to go. NR remained in front until Barnes scored while driving, seemingly out of control, but apparently not, down the right side of the lane to put Lakeland up 90-89 with 0:33 left.

Lakeland led 91-89 with nine seconds left, but Bivens drove the length of the court and made a lay-up with two seconds left, sending the game to another overtime.

Two free throws by Barnes with 1:12 left gave the Cavaliers the lead for good in the fourth overtime. A wild sequence followed as the Warriors committed a turnover, Barnes was called for an offensive foul, then NR’s Kerrington Harris was called for a charge.

Ben Hunter made one free throw, then missed the second, but Bivens couldn’t secure the rebound for the Warriors and stepped out of bounds.

Dontrell Silver gave NR one more chance to tie the game, as he came up with a steal. Silver missed a three-pointer, Barnes grabbed the rebound. Two more free throws by Barnes gave Lakeland a 96-91 lead with 14.5 seconds left, which was enough to end the marathon.

Earlier in the evening, the Warriors got out to a 7-0 lead and kept going to a 25-12 lead three minutes into the second period.

Smith carried Lakeland early, scoring 15 points in the first half. Silver’s point guard play led the Warriors as he had nine points and four assists in the opening half. NR led 32-30 at halftime.

The Warriors kept a slim lead through the third period. NR tried getting the ball into the post against the shorter Cavaliers and had success as Long and Shakor Sommers combined for 12 of NR’s 19 third-quarter points. The Warriors led 51-47 going to the fourth period and looked to be taking control when they put together an 8-1 run to go ahead 61-51.

In addition to Long’s double-double, Silver had 12 points and 11 assists and Sommers had 11 points and 10 boards for the Warriors.

The Warriors made only 2-of-20 three-point attempts. Lakeland used a 14-6 advantage in steals and the Cavaliers, in what amounted to a game-and-a-half, committed only 15 turnovers.

Lakeland improves to 8-3 overall, 7-1 in the Southeastern District. NR goes to 9-3 and 5-3. Both teams have to regroup and be ready for games Friday evening. Lakeland goes to Hickory while NR hosts Deep Creek.