NORMAL — The chant rose from Normal Community High School’s screaming fans that filled Redbird Arena’s west-side lower bowl as senior Anthony Goodar proudly showed them the hardware.
“Final Four!”
“Final Four!”
Dave Witzig soaked it all in from a couple feet away Tuesday night.
“We’re going to Peoria,” said NCHS’ 12th-year coach. “That’s the best thing you can say at this time of year.”
The Ironmen led from start to finish in the Class 4A Super-Sectional, but Crete-Monee made for a couple nerve-wracking moments in the fourth quarter. Anthony Beane led four starters in double figures with 17 points as NCHS turned back the Warriors, 59-48, to claim the school’s first-ever super-sectional title.
NCHS improved to 27-6, setting a school record for victories. More importantly, the 10th-ranked Ironmen will meet No. 4 Gurnee Warren (30-3) at 8:15 p.m. Friday in a state tournament semifinal game at Carver Arena in Peoria. NCHS has not played in the state finals since 1942 when there was one class and 16 teams headed to Champaign.
“It feels great,” said NCHS junior guard Chase Robbins, who made six-of-eight shots and scored 14 points. “We’ve worked hard all year and it’s paying off. We’re playing the best we can as a team right now. It’s looking good.”
Things weren’t looking so good when Crete-Monee (25-4) cut the gap to 46-42 with 3:57 left.
But Beane, who had made just two of his first nine shots, delivered at the most opportune time. The junior guard drained a pair of 3-pointers around a free throw by Crete-Monee’s James Crockett. That gave the Ironmen a 52-43 lead and finished off Crete-Monee.
“Luckily my teammates still had faith in me after I couldn’t hit anything,” said Beane. “They found me and I was able to knock them down.”
Crete-Monee coach Matt Ryndak gave Beane credit.
“We hit a couple big 3s, and he hit a couple rainmakers when we started to get back within striking distance,” said Ryndak. “We played against a good team. At the same time our kids fought and battled like we’ve done all year long.”
NCHS’ inside play was instrumental in the victory. Parker Musselman contributed 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, while Goodar added 14 points and eight rebounds. D.J. Gillispie came off the bench to grab five rebounds as the Ironmen gained a 39-27 advantage on the boards while shooting 47.1 percent from the field (24 of 51).
“No. 4 (Musselman) is as good a big guy as we’ve faced,” said Ryndak. “He’s skilled and can step away from the basket. They use him well in that regard.”
Crete-Monee, which trailed 19-6 with five minutes left in the first half, used an 8-2 run to get within 25-20 at the break. Crockett, a DePaul recruit who had only four points in the first half, began attacking the basket and scored the Warriors’ first 10 points of the third quarter.
But two lane violations by Crockett as Beane twice missed the front end of a one-and-bonus at the line with three seconds left gave Beane a third chance. He responded by making two free throws for a 38-32 lead, and NCHS withstood the last eight minutes for its 10th straight victory.
Crockett finished with a game-high 20 points to lead Crete-Monee. Greg Mays, a 6-9 Wisconsin-Green Bay signee, added 10 points and 11 rebounds while Orris chipped in 11 points. The Warriors shot 39.6 percent from the field (19 of 48) and were six of 16 at the line.
“The key to the game was our defense,” said Witzig. “Beane and Goodar did a great job on their studs. They made it hard for them to get a good look.”
Tickets for state: Advanced tickets for Friday’s game will be sold Wednesday and Thursday in NCHS’ main office from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $8.50 and $9 for the upper bowl and $10.50 for the lower bowl. Only tickets sold at NCHS will guarantee seating in the Ironmen’s fan section. There are a limited number of tickets available.
Class 4A State
AT PEORIA – Carver Arena
FRIDAY
Game 1 – 6:30 p.m. –Glenbard East vs. Chicago Simeon
Game 2 – 8:15 p.m. – Normal Community vs. Warren
SATURDAY
Game 3 – 6:30 p.m. – Losers Games 1 and 2 (third place)
Game 4– 8:15 p.m. – Winners Games 1 and 2 (championship)
1 comment:
Ok, I'm sorry. I can't stand sports news but those pics are awesome! :)
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