No Tyler Forbes. No problem.

The Laurel High boys basketball team played without their starting forward for the first time this year, but still managed to defeat Mohawk, 45-40, in a WPIAL Section 2-AA contest last night.

Forbes, who missed the game because of an unspecified health issue, is expected to sit out the remainder of the regular season and possibly the playoffs, coach Mike Tinstman said.

Jake Dando picked up the slack with a team-high 14 points and 13 rebounds to help Laurel (6-4, 11-6) clinch its first playoff appearance since 2004-05.

The win didn’t come easily for the Spartans, who trailed 22-16 at halftime and by four heading into the final quarter.

Mohawk (2-7, 6-12) controlled the tempo throughout the first three periods and “frustrated” Laurel, Tinstman said.

Chad Long hit a key 3-pointer and sophomore Todd Fennick connected on two jumpers in the fourth quarter to propel the Spartans on a 19-10 run.

“We felt like we had control of the game,” said Warriors coach Kevin Wrona, whose team held a 36-34 lead with three minutes remaining in the game. “Unfortunately, things kind of got away from us.

“We made some mistakes at critical times and, to Laurel’s credit, it capitalized on those.”

Laurel came up big at the charity stripe late in the game, sinking eight of its 10 tries from the line.

“If we don’t make those,” Tinstman said, “it would be a different ball game.”

Jake Grim had 19 points for Mohawk. The senior has scored in double digits in every game but one this season.