Lincoln-Way Central converted one field goal in the fourth quarter. It just so happened Bobby Olson’s tip-in basket came at the most opportune time: right before the final buzzer sounded to lift the Knights to a 31-30 victory over No. 18 Lockport in a SICA West contest Friday night at Lockport.
With Lockport (10-6, 2-4) leading 30-29, Olson missed a three-pointer with about five seconds left, but Lincoln-Way Central (9-7, 4-1) got the ball back on a jump ball.
Following a timeout, Olson took the ball out of bounds and lofted a nice pass to 6-foot-10-inch James Augustine, whose shot rimmed out. But Olson was there to tip it in as the buzzer sounded, setting off a raucous celebration at midcourt.
“I knew I had to step it up after I missed that three,” said Olson, a 6-4 senior who finished with 12 points. “I tossed it up as quick as I could and it went in. I looked at the ref and said it was good and then I got mobbed.”
It looked as though Lockport had stole the win from Lincoln-Way in the final minute after trailing for most of the game. With about 20 seconds remaining Chris Hulka gave a look-away pass to a wide-open Chester Green under the basket for a 30-29 advantage. Green had previously converted a four-point play with 4 minutes 35 seconds left to give Lockport its first lead since the opening minutes of the game, 28-27.
“I thought we just let the game slip out of our hands,” Lincoln-Way Central coach Steve Little said. “Bob just did a great job of not quitting on the shot.”
Augustine paced the Knights with 13 points and eight rebounds. Augustine, who sprained his ankle in the season opener and watched as his teammates struggled to a 1-6 start, is 8-1 since he has returned to the lineup.
Lockport’s Alando Tucker finished with 12 points, four coming in the second half. Green scored all eight of his points in the second half to help the Porters erase a 22-16 halftime deficit.
“That’s the game of basketball,” Lockport coach Lawrence Thompson Jr. said. “The ball bounced their way.”
Sean Duncan.
Up next for Lockport: Saturday at home vs. No. 7 West Aurora.
4. New Trier
Danny Larkin scored 13 points to lead four players in double figures as the Trevians (13-3, 5-0) beat Niles West 59-52. Ted Rosinski added 12 points, while James Romey and Josh Goodman had 11 points each for New Trier. Alex Filin and Sead Odzic had 12 points apiece for Niles West (6-8, 2-3).
Up next: Saturday at No. 10 Thornwood.
6. Hillcrest
Shelby Jordan scored 28 points and Dennis Higgins added 13 points and six steals as the Hawks (13-4, 5-0) coasted to a 100-72 victory over Tinley Park 100-72 in the SICA Central. Hillcrest jumped out to a 26-13 lead after one quarter.
Lionel Buckley had 16 points and eight rebounds for Tinley Park (8-10, 3-3).
Up next: Tuesday at Thornton Fractional North.
7. West Aurora
The Blackhawks (13-2, 6-1) ripped West Chicago 82-49 as Dameon Mason totaled 30 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Jim O’Hara led West Chicago (6-11, 1-6) with 17 points.
Up next: Saturday at Lockport.
8. Waubonsie Valley
Derrick Clanton scored 30 points and the Warriors went on an 18-3 run in the fourth quarter in a 68-54 victory over Larkin in the Upstate Eight. Morris Ellis had 18 points and nine rebounds and Jeff Sassano added 10 points and seven assists for Waubonsie Valley (16-0, 6-0).
Steve Knapp scored 19 points to lead Larkin (1-11, 0-6).
Up next: Saturday at Lake Park.
9. Proviso East
Dee Brown scored 23 of his game-high 34 points in the second half as the Pirates (12-2, 6-0) broke open a close game at halftime on their way to a 73-54 victory over Morton in the West Suburban Gold. Proviso East led just 34-32 at the half, but outscored Morton 22-11 in the third quarter to go ahead by double digits. Dee Brown’s three-pointer with 6:02 left in the third sparked a 15-0 run.
More Top Picks Best Travel Drones
Shannon Brown added 19 points and seven rebounds for the Pirates, while Hector Vargas led Morton (8-8, 2-3) with 24 points.
Up next: Friday at Downers Grove South.
10. Thornwood
After failing to reach the half-century mark in their last two games, No. 10 Thornwood’s offense was overdue. The Thunderbirds’ offense woke up in the third quarter and SICA East rival Bloom paid the price. The Thunderbirds hit five three-pointers in the first four minutes of the second half to overcome a three-point halftime deficit in a 64-53 victory over the No. 15 Trojans.
With the win Thornwood (15-2, 5-0) rebounded from a disappointing lopsided loss to Young last Saturday.
“We’ve been getting good looks but the shots just were going down,” Thornwood coach Kevin Hayhurst said after watching his team score 31 points in a win over Thornridge last Friday. “Tonight we got the same good looks, but this time the shots were falling.”
Especially for David Moss, who scored 17 of his game-high 20 points in the second half. He led the Thunderbirds 15-4 run to start the third quarter by hitting three three-pointers as his team took a 43-35 lead after trailing the entire second quarter. The Thunderbirds outscored the Trojans 21-6 in the quarter for a 49-37 lead heading into the final quarter.
Meanwhile, Moss’ teammate, Pierre Thomas, put the hex on Bloom star Joe Chapman. Early on Chapman looked like he was in for another big offensive night. But after scoring eight points in the first quarter, Thomas allowed Chapman two points the rest of the way.
Antonio Cool led Bloom (12-6, 2-3) with 12 points.
Up next: Saturday at home vs. No. 4 New Trier.
14. Homewood-Flossmoor
Adam Dauksas had 14 points, seven assists and five steals, but the Vikings (12-6, 2-3) fell to Shepard 64-53 in the SICA East
See story, Back Page.
Up next: Tuesday at Hinsdale Central.
15. Bloom
The Trojans (12-6, 2-3) fell to No. 10 Thornwood 64-53. For details, see above.
Up next: Friday at home vs. Thornridge.
16. Shepard
Reggie George had 15 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks as the Astros (14-3, 2-3) downed No. 14 Homewood-Flossmoor 64-53 in SICA East play.
See story, Back Page.
Up next: Tuesday at Bolingbrook.
17. Rich South
Larry Pikes scored 23 points and Brandon Cole contributed 17 points, nine rebounds and four blocks as the Stars (15-2, 5-0) defeated Rich Central 82-72. Rich South went on a 14-0 second-quarter tear to open a 50-31 halftime lead. Trevor Douyon led Rich Central (7-9, 2-3).
Up next: Friday at Kankakee.
19. Thornton Fractional North
Gregg Charles scored 17 points as the Meteors (15-2, 5-0) whipped Oak Forest 86-47 in the SICA Central. Joe Fedro’s 10 points led Oak Forest (4-12, 1-4).
Up next: Tuesday at home vs. No. 6 Hillcrest.
20. Schaumburg
Tony Young scored 18 of his 21 points in the second half as the Saxons (14-4, 4-2) pulled away from Fremd 79-63 in the Mid-Suburban West. Young had just three points in the first half as Schaumburg took a 33-31 halftime lead, but Schaumburg outscored Fremd 23-12 in the third quarter to break the game open.
Douglas Wagner led Fremd (11-7, 1-5) with 14 points.
Up next: Friday at home vs. Barrington.