From the Pantagraph:
NORMAL — Future teammates Anthony Beane and Aaron Simpson put on a show, each pouring in 30 points. Those who came to watch the future of Illinois State’s basketball team Wednesday, including Redbird coach Tim Jankovich, walked away smiling.
However, the two biggest baskets of the State Farm Holiday Classic Class 3A-4A quarterfinal game belonged to someone who struggled to make a shot in the first three quarters.
Junior Callen Boddie’s two layups, the last with 30 seconds left, gave eighth-seeded Normal Community the lead for good as the Ironmen rallied to stun top-seeded North Chicago, 64-59, at Normal West.
“Tonight his jumper was not there or falling for him,” said NCHS coach Dave Witzig of Boddie, who was 1 of 7 from the field until the end. “I sat him out a lot in the second half, and lo and behold he’s the one with the ball in his hands. He did a great job keeping his focus.”
NCHS (9-2) used an 18-2 advantage in the fourth quarter to wipe out an 11-point deficit. North Chicago (7-2) went 0 of 10 from the field and committed seven turnovers in the last eight minutes.
“I blame that loss on me,” said Simpson, the 6-foot North Chicago senior guard who was 9 of 24 from the field and 8 of 11 at the line. “I should have gotten us back in the game when we needed to. My team couldn’t get a bucket. I felt the team was on my back, and I lost that game.”
The Ironmen advanced into today’s 9 p.m. semifinal game against Intercity rival University High at Shirk Center. U High pinned a 73-42 loss on NCHS in last month’s Intercity Tournament.
Beane followed up his career-high 37 points against Thornwood the night before by making 12 of 18 field goal attempts. His dunk drew NCHS within 58-53 with 3:13 left. Beane split a pair of free throws before hitting a 10-foot leaner in the lane for a 59-56 deficit with 1:27 left.
Boddie was fouled while scoring on a drive, but missed the free throw. North Chicago turned the ball over and Boddie converted on the other end with 30 seconds left to give NCHS its first lead since late in the first quarter.
Beane and Boddie each made two free throws to clinch the victory.
“We have great chemistry,” said Beane of the Ironmen. “The coaches helped us with our defense. We all came together and kept fighting.”
This was the first time Beane and Simpson have played against each other.
“It was fun out there,” said Simpson. “He’s very good. He had chances and I did. He finished the game off and I didn’t.”
North Chicago coach Gerald Coleman said Simpson, who scored 41 points in a first-round rout of Culver (Ind.) Academy, did not have a good game.
“Aaron is a great athlete. It’s really hard to tell because he scores so many points,” said Coleman. “I watch the little things to make my decision and judge his play. Some defensive assignments he was not in the right spot. He’s still got a lot to learn.”
Simpson, who was defended by Beane most of the game, picked up his fourth foul on a charge with 11 seconds left in the third quarter. North Chicago was never the same after that as the Warhawks went into delay mode without success.
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