LAKELAND — If one thing is clear after the first week of play in Class 8A, District 7, it’s that there’s little margin for error. And just as clear, Winter Haven, for now, is the team to beat.

Behind 42 points from Keyshawn Bryant, the Blue Devils remained the only undefeated team in district play after defeating Lakeland 80-72 on Friday night at the Lakeland Gymnasium, following up their district win over Bartow on Tuesday.

“This is big,” Bryant said. “We started off the season a little rough, but coming into district we changed our whole game plan. We were missing Dorian James so it was big to get this game without him.”

James, Winter Haven’s second-leading scorer, sat out with an ankle injury he sustained on Tuesday against Bartow. Lakeland also was without one of its top scorers as Chrisshawn Butler sat out.

With James out, Bryant was ready for a heavier load.

“I told him in the locker room, ‘Dorian is out. You’ve got to play real big tonight,’” Winter Haven assistant coach Jamie Phillips said. “He said, 'I got you.'”

Bryant scored nine points in the first quarter and was even better in the second quarter as his 15 points helped the Blue Devils take a 45-40 lead.

No lead was safe, however, as the game was up for grabs until the final minute. Winter Haven opened the third quarter with a 10-3 run to retake the lead. There were five lead changes and two ties in the third quarter alone.

The Dreadnaughts never regained the lead, but A.J. Gant’s basket off a steal with 2:56 remaining tied the score with 2:56 to play. Bryant answered with a basket to put Winter Haven back on top. Sam Gray made 1 of 2 free throws to again make it a one-point game, but Lakeland turnovers allowed Winter Haven to finally pull away.

After Tim Lowery scored with 51.8 seconds left to play, Winter Haven had turnovers on back-to-back possessions. Bryant scored off the first turnover, and Bryson Birdsong missed a shot off the second turnover but made a free throw to give Winter Haven a six-point lead with under 25 seconds to play.

Birdsong finished with 15 points as the only other Blue Devil to score in double figures.

With James out, Phillips said Josh Celiscar was big off the bench.

“He always rebounds,” Phillips said. “He’s a hustle guy. I thought he stepped up.”

Lakeland’s Dwayne McCalebb led a balanced attack with 18 points. Luke Anderson and Reggie Hawthorne each scored 15 points, and A.J. Gant added 10 points.

Anderson, who is averaging more than 20 points, struggled with his shot but was strong on the boards as rebounding helped Lakeland stay close throughout.

The next district game for both teams is Wednesday. Lakeland plays Bartow, and Winter Haven plays Kathleen.