Semifinalists a year ago, Robeson had all the answers for nearly three quarters against Crane in a third-round Public League playoff game Thursday at Westinghouse.
The Raiders controlled the tempo, limiting Crane’s fast break and running their half-court game with precision and skill. Then it all unraveled, quickly and decisively, as the No. 6 Cougars awoke, outscoring Robeson 23-4 in the game’s final 12 minutes to reverse a seven-point deficit and post a 50-38 victory.
“When we laid back they killed us with their cuts and passing game,” Crane coach Anthony Longstreet said.
Behind the play of George Jones (16 points) and forward Courtney Williams (13 points, eight rebounds), Robeson (17-12) hit 11-of -17 first half shots to lead 25-22 at the break. A Jones three-pointer and layup and Williams’ offensive rebound basket provided the Raiders with their largest advantage, 34-27, with four minutes to play in the third quarter.
With the game apparently in its control, Robeson fell apart, committing four consecutive turnovers and failing to score in the final four minutes of the quarter.
Trailing 34-33 to start the fourth, Crane (21-7) dominated the final quarter, outscoring Robeson 17-4 in advancing to the Public League quarterfinals for the third consecutive year.
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Down 36-33, Crane forged a tie with a deep three-pointer from reserve Corey Stevenson. The Cougars established their first lead since the second quarterat 38-36 on a pull-up jumper in the lane from Florentino Valencia with 5:45 remaining.
Crane did not pull away until less than three minutes remained as Tremel Gilot scored five quick points on a layup and three-point play.
Robeson was its worst enemy, turning the ball over four times in the final quarter, part of its 16 turnovers for the game. The Raiders were only 2-of-10 from the floor in the fourth quarter and converted 2-of-7 from the free-throw line for the game.
“We got impatient offensively and started going to the basket after the first pass,” Robeson coach Charles Redmond said. “The turnovers and free throws just killed us.”
Patrick Z. McGavin.
Westinghouse 83, Hubbard 74: Darius Glover poured in 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as No. 4 Westinghouse advanced. Jamaal Brown added 18 points for the Warriors (24-5) while Reginald Bates scored 25 for Hubbard (17-13).
Curie 77, Kenwood 54: Fifth-ranked Curie had a 22-8 lead after one quarter and never looked back as it rolled past Kenwood. Omni Smith paced the Condors (24-4) with 22 points and Rome Sanders chipped in 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Quincy Black led Kenwood (19-5) with 17 points.
Julian 83, Mather 51: Julian outscored Mather 31-11 in the first quarter en route to its third-round victory. Sean Dockery paced the Jaguars (19-8) with 35 points, 11 assists and 10 steals. Mychal Wilson added 11 points, eight steals and seven assists.
“I thought we played very well for 2 1/2 quarters,” Julian coach Loren Jackson said. “The main thing is to advance. We advanced to live another day.”
Rammell Nwaokai led Mather (16-14) with 18 points.
Simeon 75, Lane Tech 72: Desahwn Walker scored 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Wolverines (17-12) slipped by in the Public League playoffs.
Simeon opened the fourth quarter with a 13-2 run to take a 63-51 lead. Lane (10-17) responded with a 10-2 run to close the gap to 65-61 and pulled within 73-72 on a layup by Curtis Collins with 43 seconds left. But a basket by Simeon’s Reginald Robinson and a Wolverines’ steal on Lane’s ensuing inbound attempt sealed the win.
Clyde Hooker added 19 points for Simeon. Doug Johnson and Curtis Collins led Lane with 16 points each.
Taft 59, Carver 54: Chris Cobbs scored 19 points and collected 13 rebounds and Earl Hughes and Jeff Hunter added 14 points each as Taft (21-8) prevailed.
Von Steuben 51, Morgan Park 46: Von Steuben used a 12-2 fourth-quarter run to eliminate a pesky Morgan Park team and advance in the Public League playoffs. The fourth quarter began with Von Steuben trailing 30-29, but after seven lead changes, a balanced attack staked the Panthers (18-8) to a 49-40 lead with 1:25 to play.
“The North Side jinx is over,” Von Steuben coach Vince Carter said.
Von Steuben jumped out to a 23-11 lead in the second quarter following a 13-0 run that was keyed by sophomore Ryne Hamblet’s nine points. Morgan Park took the lead at the end of the third following a 19-6 run of its own.
Hamblet led the Panthers with 19 points, and Luke Rogers, Von Steuben’s only senior starter, added 14.
“Our youth definitely showed but our effort was always there,” Carter said. “We fought hard and responded when we needed to.”
Marcus Arnold had 26 points and four blocks for Morgan Park (16-12).