Plainfield South rallies past Lockport, snaps six-game losing streak – Shaw Local

LOCKPORT – Together with his workforce trailing by eight factors within the ultimate moments of the third quarter, Plainfield South boys basketball coach Jeff Howard knew it was now or by no means if his workforce was going to snap its shedding streak.

“We wanted one thing,” Howard mentioned. “Lockport was packing it in.”

Enter Michael Smith ll and Jay Pena. The junior guards mixed for 5 3-pointers within the ultimate 9 minutes. Plainfield South hit eight 3s within the second half and rallied for a 49-46 victory over the Porters in a Wednesday evening nonconference conflict at Lockport.

The Cougars (11-14) snapped a six-game shedding streak. Lockport (14-9) misplaced for the third time in its previous 4 video games.

“That is going to push us to win extra,” mentioned Smith, who completed with 10 factors.

Smith was enormous within the large push that put Plainfield South excessive. The Porters led 37-29 when senior guard Adam Labuda (game-high 18 factors, 8 rebounds) made a layup off a turnover with 1:45 to play within the third quarter. Then senior wing Nolan Gerdich (eight factors) bought a 3-pointer to chop the result in 5. A few minute later, Smith pulled up from 26 toes and nailed his first 3-pointer with 26 seconds left within the quarter.

Impulsively it was 37-35 after three.

“We simply moved the ball, discovered the open shot, and that was large,” Smith mentioned of his 3 late within the third quarter. “I simply really feel assured on the market [five feet beyond the arc]. I’ve been taking pictures on the market perpetually.

“We are able to all contribute. If we play with confidence, we will beat any workforce.”

Nonetheless, the Cougars, who trailed many of the first three quarters, wanted a spark to take the lead. Enter Pena, who got here off the bench to start out the fourth quarter and was the ninth man to play for Plainfield South. He made back-to-back 3-pointers within the first 54 seconds of the fourth quarter and the Cougars took the lead for good.

“I do know I can shoot, I simply must play to my potential,” mentioned Pena, who completed with six factors. “We are going to shoot from anyplace, simply give us some area. We simply needed to preserve our heads and our confidence up.

“We had a few powerful losses and this can be a large workforce win.”

One other lengthy 3 by Smith put Plainfield South up 45-39 with 3:30 to play. Two free throws from senior guard Quinton Hunter (9 factors) reduce it to 45-44 however Smith answered once more on one other lengthy 3, which hit the entrance of the rim, spun off the backboard and went in for a 48-44 lead with 2:15 to play.

Senior ahead Caden Schoolcraft (10 factors) made a layup with 40 seconds left to shut the Porters inside two. Smith made a free throw with 31.6 seconds to play for the ultimate rating. Senior guard Amarri Ford blocked a shot with 5 seconds left and Lockport dedicated its sixth turnover of the quarter and 18th of the sport within the ultimate seconds.

Senior ahead Jermaine Theodore led Plainfield South with 11 factors, eight of these within the first half. Junior guard Devin Tyda added seven factors for the Cougars, who made a layup 17 seconds into the third quarter for his or her solely discipline aim of the second half.

Hunter had seven factors within the second half, however Lockport’s main scorer, Jalen Falcon, was restricted to 5 factors.

“They made 10 3s within the sport, and we didn’t make pictures,” mentioned Lockport coach Brett Hespell, whose workforce misplaced 65-57 to Bolingbrook at dwelling the evening earlier than. “We have been enjoying fantastic into the third quarter, after which we didn’t play effectively sufficient. We now have to play higher.”

Lockport led 8-7 after a sluggish first quarter. However Labuda hit a trio of 3s in an 11-2 burst to place the Porters forward 19-13 with simply greater than three minutes left within the second quarter. However Theodore had the primary 4 factors in a 7-0 run because the Cougars, who have been coming off a 53-39 loss at Yorkville on Tuesday, retook the lead. Falcon made a 3-pointer with 48 seconds left within the second quarter to provide Lockport a 22-20 benefit at halftime.

“We simply had the fitting folks taking pictures,” Howard mentioned. “Michael Smith had a very good taking pictures evening and he’s able to that. We wanted this win.

“That is solely the second sport we’ve performed with the entire workforce since January 6. We’ve had accidents, sicknesses and concussions, however I feel we will make somewhat run, and we’re gearing it towards the regional.”