RIGHT ON, JHEI-R
Jones’ 3-point play lifts Lincoln-Way East past L-WCentral in OT
Lincoln-Way East’s Jhei-R Jones said he had never played in a game as intense as Friday night’s against rival Lincoln-Way Central.
Whenthe gamewas on the line in the final seconds of overtime, though, Jones wasn’t overwhelmed by the moment.
Jones, a sophomore guard, converted a 3-point play with six seconds left in OT to lift the host Griffins to a 55-54 victory in a SouthWest Suburban crossover.
“The playwas designed forme, so I just tried to execute and finish,” Jones said. “I knew if I was one-on-one, I could get to the basket.
“You have to have confidence to play basketball and I’ve been gaining confidence this year.”
Julian Barr scored 19 points, all in the second half and OT, to lead Lincoln-Way East (5-6). Jones finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, all but two of his points coming after halftime.
Sean Curran paced the Knights (7-5) with 20 points and Mike Maloney added 14.
Curran split a pair of free throws to put Central ahead 54-52 with two seconds left.
Jones then brought the ball up the court for the Griffins and drove hard to the basket, drawing a foul and converting at the rim. His free throwgave East the lead.
“Jhei-R is explosive off the dribble,” East coach RichKolimas said. “We told him to just go one-on-one and drive. (Barr) was in the corner and they didn’t help off him, so Jhei-R had the oneon-one and he was able to make the play.”
Curran’s 3-pointer at the buzzerwas off the mark.
Central rallied for four points in the final eight seconds of regulation to force OT.
After Curran’s jumper with eight seconds left cut the Griffins’ lead to 47-45, Connor Barry knocked away East’s ensuing inbound pass and Curran took a potential game-winning three.
Curran’s shotwas off the mark, but Kevin Hayes’ putback at the buzzer tied it.
“We just had to keep our poise after that,” Barr said. “We had to move on to the next play and not let it affect us.”
Barr, who returned after missing the last six games with an ankle injury, scored 13 points in the third quarter to push the Griffins in front after they trailed the entire first half.
“I couldn’twait to get out there and help my team,” Barr said. “I just had to getmy rhythm back.”
Maloney scored five points in OT for the Knights, but it wasn’t enough.
“This was a good experience for the kids,” Central coach Bob Curran said.
“Games like this you remember your whole lives.”