To Roseville coach Ted Critchley, one of the most impressive qualities about an athletic player who averages 3.7 dunks per game and is capable of scoring 20-plus points on any given night is in the way he fails.

Actually, that last part is brand new. Before his most recent game, Lucas Brown had scored in double digits in every contest, often leading the team. Saturday, in a gritty 68-66 victory, Brown was limited to only eight points against the Viborg/Hurley, S.D., Cougars, an opponent Critchley said shut down the senior forward better than any team in his varsity career.

But despite the struggles, as the minutes ticked away in a tight game that had seen Roseville creep back from behind in the second half, Critchley made a clear statement about the respect he has for his star player.

"Notice we still put the ball in his hands at the end of the game," he said of Brown, who had been watching his shots clank off the rim all night, and who attempted a dunk with less than two minutes remaining – and missed, showing perhaps a hint of fatigue from the previous night's 26-point, 36-minute performance.

"That kid can jump through the roof," Critchley said. "I've never seen him miss a dunk, ever, in traffic or anything. A year ago he might have hung his head, but he fought to get that ball back. Anybody can play great when you feel great. He was feeling pretty lousy at that point, but he still made big, heart-check plays."

With seconds on the clock, Brown, who recently signed with Wofford, hit a key layup to put the Raiders up 66-65.

"Early on, my shots just weren't falling," Brown said. "But I just kept trying to do the little things, help our offense."

And perhaps some of the "little things" Brown has done throughout the years – including mentoring his sophomore brother, Logan – indeed gave the team the boost it needed. As Lucas struggled, Logan helped pick up the slack, scoring 11 points.

"It sure does feel good," Logan said. "Coach always tells me I'm the next man up. Not a lot of guys get to play with their brother, but it really helps my game."

Critchley pointed out that just having Lucas on the floor allows teammates to get open. And Lucas' natural chemistry with his brother gives him a leg up in helping Logan find shots.

"I've never seen brothers like that," Critchley said. "Those two – especially in times of desperation – actually look for each other, they have that synergy you can't teach."