Whenever Washington needs to tighten the screws defensively, head coach Ken Crump never looks any further than guard Thomas Wilson.
So when the Minutemen needed an answer for Hubbard’s Lee Caldwell in the Public League basketball playoffs Thursday, Wilson naturally got the call.
“Wilson is our number one defensive guy,” Crump said. “We told him not to let [Caldwell] get the ball.”
More Top Picks Paint Rollers
Wilson did exactly as he was told, sparking Washington’s defense with three fourth-quarter steals as the Minutemen pulled away for a 68-63 win at Carver, earning the school’s first berth in the quarterfinals.
Caldwell, who had tormented Washington the entire game, finished with game-highs of 24 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks, but was held to a lone field goal in the decisive fourth quarter. The Greyhounds held a two-point lead with five and half minutes to play when a free throw followed by a basket by Wilson started Washington on a 9-2 run. Hubbard (16-16) got no closer than three the rest of the way.
“Last year we got our first playoff win in some time. This year we wanted to build on that,” Crump said. “Our win against Julian late in the year gave us a lot of confidence going into the playoffs.”
Montele Hogan led Washington (19-9) with 19 points, while Greg Anderson added 17. Lawrence Stafford and Wilson each chipped in with nine.
— Pat Rooney.
CVS 59, Gage Park 55: In a wild game of radical momentum swings, Chicago Vocational held off Gage Park at Robeson.
Behind the play of Seneca Evans (16 points, four steals, three rebounds) and Jamon Dorsey (14 points), CVS (20-8) established its largest lead, 53-47, with just under two minutes to play. Gage Park’s Lamar Grimes, who scored 13 of his 16 in the second half, nailed a three-pointer to narrow the gap to 53-50. CVS was up 54-52 with just seconds remaining when Keith Knight scored on a lay-up and was intentionally fouled. He split the free throws, extending the Cavaliers’ lead to 57-52. CVS maintained the possession and Evans was fouled.
Before he shot the free throws, Dorsey was called for a technical foul for unsportsmanlike conduct. Evans missed both free throws but Grimes only hit one free throw for Gage Park. With five seconds remaining, Grimes scored on a lay-up and was fouled with three seconds left, making the score 57-55, but missed the free throw. CVS’ Christian Campbell then hit two free throws for the final margin. Isaac Owens led the Owls with 19 points. Gage Park finished 19-10.
“You have to give Gage Park a lot of credit. They have great guards,” Vocational coach Don Russell said. “We put a lot of pressure on them throughout the game.”
Patrick Z. McGavin.
Manley 70, Steinmetz 69: Despite trailing by as much as 16 in the third quarter, Steinmetz used a 26-point fourth quarter to make Manley (23-5) earn a semifinal berth and the right to go up against Westinghouse.
Manley held on in the end, relying on Luther Head’s triple-double. Head scored 23 points and added 10 rebounds and 12 assists, while John Jones chipped in with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Trailing 70-67, Steinmetz had the final possession of the game with a chance to tie it, but Manley’s defense forced a two-point shot. Steinmetz was led by Allen Holcumb, who had 22 points, and Marquince Davis, who had 19.
“We had to dig so hard to get back,” said Steinmetz coach Lynn Mister, “but we just ran out of gas.”
Crane 78, Mather 66: Will Bynum and Jabbar Battle each scored 11 points in the fourth to lift Crane (21-7). The two had 25 and 19 points respectively, and Tony Allen chipped in 16. Crane went on a 10-2 run to put the game away and ensure a semifinal-round match-up against Young.
Mather (18-12) was led by Chris Lardakis’ 20 points and 16 from Ted Rance.
Morgan Park 87, DuSable 78: Cas McKinnon’s 27 points and 14 rebounds gave Morgan Park (21-5) its 13th win a row.
“We didn’t play our best, but the main thing is that we got the win,” Morgan Park coach Herb Ray said.
DuSable (16-12) was led by Orlando Scott’s 20 points and Rashawn Hardy’s 19.
Simeon 65, Harper 52: Simeon (28-3) used 32 points from Dewayne Williams to top Harper and advance to play Washington. Williams scored nine points in the third quarter during the 15-6 run that broke the game open.
Anthony Myles scored 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for Harper (14-14).
Westinghouse 111, Prosser 56: Cedric Banks’s 32 points led six players in doubles for Westinghouse (27-1) in the romp.
More Top Picks Best Bench Vises
“If he can give us half of that every game, we’re unbeatable,” Westinghouse coach Chris Head said of Banks. “When he scores 32 we’re phenomenal.”
Coby Bridgeman scored 15 to lead Prosser (19-10).