Lockport 52, Benet Academy 50
By Drake Skleba
"Landon (Gamble) made a great pass and I was able to nail the big shot for the win," said Karrington Ward. "It felt really good leaving my hand. I knew it was on target."
So stated the joyous Porter hero after his game-winning shot put Lockport into the 2009 Plainfied North Holiday Tournament Championship Game. Ward led the Porters with 13 points and had five rebounds
The game-winning play appeared to be heading for a disastrous conclusion.
With 22.8 seconds remaining, Benet Academy junior G Matt Parisi (10 points) buried a three to pull the Redwings even at 50.
Porter head coach Lawrence Thompson, Jr., called time out and set up a play.
When senior G Dimonte Hopkins (nine points) slipped as the Porters were at the top of the key, things looked bad for Lockport.
Hopkins somehow got the ball to 6-foot-6 senior Landon Gamble, who was swarmed by three Redwing defenders. Gamble amazingly got the ball to Ward, who buried the 18-foot game winner.
Benet Academy was again led by sensational junior G Dave Sobolewski, who scored 25 after inputting 24 the previous night. He scored 15 first half points to lead the Redwings to a 28-20 halftime lead.
Sobolewski nailed a junper to give Benet a 39-29 lead near the end of the third quarter.
The Porters erupted near the conclusion of the third quarter. With 1:50 to go in the quarter, Lockport senior Mo Atieh (six points) nailed a pair of free throws to cut the Redwing lead to 39-31 after three quarters. It ignited the decisive Porter run.
Over the next 4:35 Lockport outscored Benet 15-1 in the quarter to conclude a 17-1 run on two free throws by 6-foot-5 senior F Ed Ward for a 46-40 Porter lead with 3:25 left in the game.
Hopkins scored seven of his 10 points in the 17-1 run and was a difference maker for the Porters.
"We really stepped up our transition defense, which was the key to our big 17-1 run. In the first half we were not getting back on defense," said Hopkins.
"I had a big fourth quarter. This was a big win and we will be ready for Joliet, our rivals."
Benet's 6-foot-10 junior C Frank Kaminsky (14 points, six rebounds) buried a three to bring Benet within 46-43. Later Gamble, who had six points and four boards for the Porters, had a huge putback to put the Porters up 48-44.
Soboleweski was fouled attempting a three-point shot and calmly nailed all three shots to bring the Redwings within 48-47 with :50 seconds left.
Porter senior point guard Eric Lantero (four points, four assists) nailed two clutch free throws to extend the Porter lead to 50-47.
"We really picked up our intensity on the defense against a very good offensive team," said Porter coach Thompson. "We really got our offense flowing in the second half. This was a big win for us. I am very proud of the way we played tonight."
