When Robeson coach Charles Redmond called upon James Roberson to make a big play Tuesday afternoon, he got his wish.
Roberson scored 25 points, including six in the second overtime, as Robeson outlasted Gage Park 65-62 in double overtime of the Public League Red Central opener. The game probably wouldn’t have made it into double overtime if it weren’t for Roberson’s clutch shot.
The 6-foot-6-inch senior forward dribbled the length of the floor, pulled up at the top of the key and buried a three-pointer at the buzzer of the first overtime to tie it at 56-56 and force a second overtime.
When Robeson called timeout with 7.8 seconds left in the first overtime, Roberson told his teammates what he would do.
“During the timeout [with 7.8 seconds left in the first overtime], Roberson said `I’m going to take the shot and I’m going to hit the shot, because I practice it every day,'” Redmond said. “He came through for us.”
Kevin Hill’s putback basket with 3 minutes left in the second overtime gave the Raiders (7-6, 1-0) the lead for good at 59-58. Roberson made 4-of-6 free throws in the final minutes to put Robeson up three points. Gage Park’s Pierre Alston missed a three-pointer that would have forced a third overtime.
Gage Park tied the game at 47-47 on Jermaine Govan’s 10-foot bank shot with 10 seconds left in regulation.
Roberson, who missed much of the last two seasons with leg injures, also contributed eight rebounds and six assists.
“[Roberson] hurt us badly,” Gage Park coach Sterling Spencer said. “Every time they needed a big bucket, it was number 34.”
Alston led Gage Park (12-4, 0-1) with 23 points and eight rebounds. Indiana State-bound Lamar Grimes added 22 points and six threes before fouling out early in the first overtime.
“I’m just about to have a heart attack,” said Redmond, whose team earned a key early-season conference victory. “Like the gunslingers in the old movies, we’re going to put a notch up on the bulletin board when we get to practice tomorrow.”
Joliet 57, Thornridge 50: If Joliet makes a serious run in the state playoffs next month, they may look back at Tuesday night’s victory over Thornridge as the game that got the ball rolling.
The No. 13 Steelmen played without all-stater Roger Powell, who had knee tendinitis. Joliet instead got 23 points, seven rebounds and three steals from Terrance Chapman, and junior guard Brandon Banks stepped in to run the show at point guard in place of Powell as the Steelmen (14-4) overcame a rocky first half to win at home.
“We sputtered a little early, but Brandon Banks gave us the spark we needed against their trap,” said Joliet coach Bob Koskosky. “When you’ve got a guy out of the lineup who scores 23 points [in Powell] and you beat an awfully good Thornridge team, that’s tough.”
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Despite 11 first-half turnovers, the Steelman were able to stay close, thanks mostly to Chapman’s 12 points and Kellen Easley’s five rebounds. Chapman and Jeremy Cartwright scored four points each as Joliet opened the second half on an 8-0 run for a 30-23 lead.
Thornridge (9-6) battled back early in the fourth, with Gregory Benson hitting a three and Deanta Hollins tipping in an offensive rebound to give the Falcons a 35-34 edge with 6:16 remaining. But Thornridge would not score another field goal for nearly five minutes as Joliet extended its lead to 46-38 with 2:13 left.
Keith Archie paced Thornridge with 11 points.
Shepard 74, Argo 45: Mike Smith poured in 20 points and made 6-of-7 three-pointers as the No. 11 Astros (12-2) breezed.
New Trier, 80 Glenbrook South 55: The No. 14 Trevians (12-2, 3-0) romped in the Central Suburban South behind Josh Goodman’s 19 points and five three-pointers. Ted Rosinki added 15 points for New Trier, which went on a 12-2 second-quarter run to bust the game open.
Cary-Grove 65, Lake Zurich 50: Dan Evans scored 21 points as the Trojans (11-4, 6-1) earned the Fox Valley victory. Brad Rathe had 16 points to lead Lake Zurich (11-3, 6-1).
De La Salle 68, St. Laurence 67 (OT): Aaron Wellington scored 18 points and Armon Brown added 17 points as the Meteors (10-6, 5-1) won in the Catholic League.
DuSable 75, King 67: In the Public Red Central, Benyamin Robinson poured in 26 points to give DuSable (5-7, 1-0) its first victory over King in school history.
Lane Tech 60, Steinmetz 53: Curtis Collins scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Indians (9-6, 1-0) won their Public Red North opener.
Marcquintice Davis had 19 points to lead Steinmetz (7-5, 0-1).
Homewood Christian 71, Illinois Lutheran 58: Jimmy Miles scored 29 points for Homewood (14-0).
H-F 75, Rich South 64: Steve Winding tallied 25 points and nine rebounds and Chris Lidell added 13 points for the Vikings (8-6). Winding scored six points as Homewood-Flossmoor ended the game on a 19-8 run.
Tilden 72, Hope 69: Corneilus Pitts totaled 16 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks and Dwayne Trice made three free throws in the final 6 seconds as the Blue Devils (7-6, 1-0) held on in the Public Blue Central.