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Boys Basketball: Joliet West escapes gritty Lockport
Updated: January 27, 2012 10:34PM
Why wait until March for a little March Madness?
Morris Dunnigan and Marlon Johnson made the key plays Friday night as Joliet West escaped visiting SouthWest Suburban Blue foe Lockport 49-48 in a wild and crazy battle.
It was not always an artistic success, but two relentless defenses went “nose to nose and chest to chest,” as described by West coach Luke Yaklich.
The Tigers (13-4, 6-1) trailed 20-18 at half, tied it four times in the third quarter, then trailed by three points or less the entire fourth quarter.
That was before Dunnigan’s steal in the corner with 35 seconds left, followed by his twisting five-foot bucket from the baseline with :29 left. He was fouled and completed the three-point play to put West ahead 48-46.
Lockport (12-7, 3-4) got the ball downcourt and Kyle Ward maneuvered for a reverse layup. But the 6-foot-9 Johnson blocked it, rebounded and was fouled with :09 left. He made one free throw to make it 49-46. David Robinson’s rebound basket with :02 to go accounted for the final score.
“It was a struggle all game,” said Johnson, who scored 14 of his 15 points in the second half. “They’re tough.”
“Both teams played tough basketball,” Yaklich said. “In the middle quarters, they out-toughed us and out-physicaled us. We had to use every ounce of our energy to stay within two. I felt if we ever got the lead we could have kept it, but we never got it.
“The most surprising thing was how many points were scored in the paint. Coach (Lawrence) Thompson just does a great job with Lockport.”
West made 21 of 36 free throws to Lockport’s 6-of-13, but the Porters held a 33-29 rebounding edge.
“I decided to play man-to-man defense,” Thompson said, explaining the free throw discrepancy. “Trying to rebound against these guys out of a zone leaves too many avenues.
“Their constant pressure wears you down. They play hard and stick with it. That one steal with the great hands (by Dunnigan) and a couple of throwaways on our part were the difference.”
Dunnigan scored 13 points and Brian Edwards 11 for West. Courtney Cole led Lockport with 13 and Robinson added 10.
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