Patience key for Thornton against Warriors

Updated: March 23, 2011 3:48PM

Thornton coach Troy Jackson vows his team will not fall into the trap that many others have when facing Crete-Monee's two-guard match-up zone defense.

"We can't be forced into taking crazy shots like H-F did," Jackson said of Crete-Monee's sectional semifinal victim, which shot 3-of-19 from the 3-point stripe.

"We have a system for their zone. We have to work our system. We're not going to settle for 3-point shots. We have to be patient and work the ball inside. I don't care if it takes the whole quarter to get a shot off. We're not going to settle for 35-footers."

The Wildcats didn't settle when the two teams met Dec. 30 for the McDipper title. Thornton remained patient and pulled out a 57-55 victory. Crete-Monee's Jamee Crockett had a chance to win the game but his late 3-point try was off the mark.

No. 6 Thornton has an opportunity at the sweep and No. 1 Crete-Monee a chance at redemption when the two Southland powerhouses square off tonight for the Class 4A Thornwood Sectional title.

"We're not looking at it as payback," said Crockett, a DePaul recruit. "It's just another game for us to win and advance in the state tournament."

The winner will head to Tuesday's Normal Supersectional against the winner of the Moline Sectional between East St. Louis and Normal.

The losing team turns in its uniforms.

"They're a good team but we feel we match up well with them," Jackson said. "I think it's going to be a battle."

Thornton has gone 26-2 by playing patient, unselfish basketball. Jackson readily admits his roster lacks the star power of a player Crockett's caliber.

All five Wildcats starters - Brian Greene Jr., Antonio Levy, Jay Parker, Bernard Brame and Stefan Beard - are averaging between 8 and 11 points per game. The bench, led by Dimitrius Hardwick, Charles Knowles and DeChaun Williams, are capable of starting on most teams.

"Bench play could be the biggest key," Greene Jr. said. "If our bench can contribute like they did against Lockport, that could be the difference."

During the Wildcats' 62-52 win over Lockport on Tuesday, Hardwick contributed 12 points, while Williams had nine points and 11 boards off the bench.

Not that Crete-Monee (24-3) is lacking firepower from its reserves.

While much of the attention goes toward the "Big Three" of Crockett, point guard Michael Orris and 6-foot-9 Greg Mays, sophomore LaQuon Treadwell is an explosive option off the bench for the Warriors.

Additionally, Kentrell King was absent from the McDipper title game. He's back, giving the starting five, which also includes Marvie Keith, additional firepower.

"The McDipper was great, but they're a different team and we're a different team," Crete-Monee coach Matt Ryndak said.

"We didn't have Kentrell. Both teams are better since then.

"Thornton is the least-talked-about 26-2 team I've seen in the state. Their big kids can function and play hard and their guards are athletic and play well."

The fact Thornton is void of a true go-to guy makes the Wildcats even tougher to defend, according to Ryndak.

"They share the ball so well," Ryndak said. "They're tough to guard. Any player can go on a 4-0, 6-0, 8-0 run by himself."

While Jackson will preach patience to his team, Ryndak will emphasize crashing the boards and pushing the ball up court.

Mays has developed into a serious threat inside, and along with Crockett, who proverbially can leap tall buildings in a single bound, will give the Wildcats post players a serious challenge.

Not that Thornton's Bernard Brame and Stefan Beard are not up to the challenge.

"The biggest thing for us is to rebound the ball," Ryndak said. "When we rebound the ball we're able to get into transition and the type of tempo we like."

Brame, 6-7, must avoid the foul trouble that limited him to just two points in less than 15 minutes of playing time against Lockport.

The 6-5 Beard has been a steady force in the paint.

"We need to get the ball inside," Parker said. "No second-chance opportunities. Crete had a lot the last time we played."

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