– Timothy Christian regional-Like the prodigal child returning, Providence-St. Mel, the school where Tom Shields once coached, rose up Thursday and beat tough Hales Franciscan, presently coached by Shields, 72-71 in overtime to advance to Friday`s title game against Walther Lutheran.
The Knights (14-11) earned the victory on a goaltending call when Donald Patton, on a drive to the basket with :23 left, put up a layup and Michael Hermon was whistled for the violation.
Hermon missed a layup at the buzzer for Hales (21-6).
”Rebounding was the key,” said St. Mel coach Vernal Turner, who was an all-state player for Shields at St. Mel in 1981. ”Hales didn`t think we could outboard `em. We`re a short team, but we`re quick jumpers.”
Kenrick Wiley led St. Mel with 23 points, Arthur Browder added 21 and Patton 15. Hermon had 18, David Wise 14 (three treys), Shawn Baker 13 and Chayim Cunningham 10 for Hales.
Wiley fouled out for St. Mel with 1:19 left in OT, and Cunningham fouled out for Hales with 4:11 left in regulation. St. Mel had an 18-6 run in the fourth quarter culminated by Darnell Burton`s basket with :06 left that forced the overtime with the teams tied at 64.
In the second game, Walther Lutheran (14-13) went on a 15-0 run early in the fourth quarter to take a 40-36 lead and went on to a 50-40 victory over Timothy Christian (10-15).
It was the third victory of the season for Walther Lutheran over Timothy Christian.
Maurice Chisom led Walther with 16 points. Ed Tines had 12 and Billy Chapman 10. Jack Heerdt led the Trojans with 16 points. Dave Bosman added 10. – Illiana Christian regional-Jerry Gee scored 24 points to lead St. Martin de Porres (11-16) to an 81-40 victory over University High (22-2). St. Martin meets Illiana Christian in the title game Friday night.
St. Martin, which led 42-13 at halftime, also got 12 points from Randy Jackson, Jerry Hayes and Cedric McBride. Tony Blakemore had 11.
O`Darie Weathers paced University High with 17 points.
PUBLIC LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
– Marshall 106, Cregier 28-Six players reached double figures and 12 players scored for Marshall (22-3), the Tribune`s No. 7-ranked team. Quadell Kimble had 20 points, Ontario Brown 19, Shawn Harrington 14, Courtney Hargrays 13, Rico Dale 12 and Robin Dunagan 10.
Marshall rotated 10 players into the game throughout, keeping the pressure on Cregier.
”If we`re going to keep playing the pressure defense that we have to play to compete, we`ll have to keep our rotation at at least nine men all the way through the playoffs,” said Marshall coach Luther Bedford.
