Boys Basketball: TF South ends drought against TF North

Entering Friday night’s game, T.F South hadn’t beaten rival T.F. North in more than a decade.

Ira Crawford made sure the Rebels left the court with that monkey off their backs, as T.F. South stormed into Calumet City and defeated the Meteors a 57-52.

It was the Rebels’ first win over their South Suburban Blue foe since November 2000.

“We haven’t beat T.F. North in ... I don’t know how long, so we were ready to come away with this win,” said Crawford, who finished with game-highs of 23 points (11-of-13 shooting from the field) and nine rebounds. “I knew our record was better than theirs, so we knew we were going to win this game.”

The Meteors (8-14, 5-5) took an 11-8 lead after one quarter before South turned to Crawford. The 6-foot-3 forward scored 12 second-quarter points and sparked an 11-4 run to give the Rebels (13-7, 6-3) a lead they’d never relinquish.

South came out in the second half and missed its first four shots, allowing the Meteors to tie the score midway through the third quarter. Armon Stewart’s layup broke the spell and set the Rebels off on a 10-3 run.

Mychelle Bullock knocked down a three-pointer from the wing to open the fourth, putting South up by 10.

Deland Deere (10 points) scored on a layup with 1 minute, 20 seconds left to pull the Meteors to within five. Crawford responded with a turnaround hook. A pair of desperation three came up short for North in the final seconds.

“For this program, it’s huge,” South coach John O’Rourke said of the victory. “It’s a testament to my kids, they bust their tails in practice. And I’m so happy for the seniors. And for the juniors, it’s a stepping stone to our program.”

Ashanti Randolph had 18 points and six rebounds for the Meteors.

“My hat goes off to T.F. South, they deserved it. I knew one day they were going to beat me, I was hoping it wouldn’t be this (year),” North coach Tim Bankston said. “Teams know we’re not that good, so everybody’s smelling blood.”

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