After watching his twin brother, Rokas, come up with a couple of heroic performances to lead Lemont to its first sectional championship in 47 years, junior guard Matas Castillo knew it was his turn to step up.
And step up he did.
With Simeon focusing its defensive attention on Rokas and sophomore star Nojus Indrusaitis, Matas saw his chance to lead the way.
“I saw that they were getting covered hard,” Matas said of his brother and Indrusaitis. “So, I saw openings for myself. I wanted to take advantage of it.
“There were a lot more opportunities for me when everyone is focused on them. It makes it easier to get my shots off.”
Matas Castillo rose to the occasion with 16 points as Lemont shook off a slow start and stormed back Monday night, but Simeon held on for a 52-47 victory in the Class 3A UIC Supersectional at Credit Union 1 Arena.
Indrusaitis finished with 10 points for Lemont (27-8), which was seeking its first trip to the state finals. Joe Pender added seven points and four assists. Conor Murray scored six points.
Lemont (27-8) was coming off just the second sectional title in program history and first since 1974-75.
Homewood-Flossmoor transfer Miles Rubin, however, had too much inside for Simeon (28-5). The 6-foot-8 forward finished with 22 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots. Rubin’s twin, Wes, pulled down eight rebounds.
“We ended up going more zone because of their size, and then out of the zone, it’s tough to rebound,” Lemont coach Rick Runaas said. “It was quite a challenge. I told (Simeon) coach (Robert) Smith that as an old-school basketball guy, it was nice to see a big team play big.
“Everybody wants to play a certain way, but when you’re big, take advantage. I compliment Simeon for doing that.”
Lemont, which trailed Hillcrest 15-0 after one quarter before rallying for a 40-35 win in the sectional semifinals, again dug itself a hole by falling down 13-0.
More Top Picks Best Sensory Chairs For Autistic Kids
This time, it was too deep of a climb.
“In the first quarter, you could see there were a little bit of nerves,” Matas Castillo said. “We got used to it and we got back in the game, but it was too late.”
Indrusaitis wished Lemont would have come out more assertive as the moment may have gotten to the players early in the biggest game they have played.
“We should have come out harder,” Indrusaitis said. “We should have played up-tempo from the start.”
Simeon maintained a double-digit lead for most of the first three quarters, but Lemont put a late scare into the seven-time state champions.
Murray, a reserve who had no points and just one shot attempt through the first three quarters, buried two 3-pointers in a span of 2:06 — the latter cutting the deficit down to 44-40 with 3:15 to go.
Matas Castillo hit four straight free throws and Indrusaitis made two to pull Lemont within 50-47 with 34 seconds to go. Lemont forced a turnover to get the ball back, trailing by just three three points, but promptly turned it back over.
Jalen Griffith then hit two free throws to seal the win for Simeon.
Runaas was not surprised to see his team fight back.
“The thing I love about this team is they had the audacity to think they were going to win this game,” Runaas said. “There was never any doubt. These guys aren’t afraid of anybody.”
Lemont had only two seldom-used seniors on its roster, so expectations will be big next season with all five starters expected to return.
“I think we’re going to get stronger as a team,” Matas Castillo said. “I don’t think anybody is going to stop us next year.”
Steve Millar is a freelancer reporter for the Daily Southtown.