The final point total didn’t really tell the story of Farragut’s return to the Elite Eight.
The Admirals’ 53-44 win over Von Steuben in the first supersectional Tuesday night at the United Center was far more decisive than nine points. The issue wasn’t in doubt after the first quarter as Farragut (29-3) returned to the Class AA quarterfinals for the first time since 1995 when Kevin Garnett, Ronnie Fields and Michael Wright finished second to Thornton with Melvin Ely, Antwaan Randle El and Tai Streets.
“It feels good,” said Admirals coach William Nelson, whose team was led by Ollie Bailey’s 21 points and nine rebounds. “It’s been a long drought. We’ve been playing well all year. It’s not too hard to keep them motivated.”
A better indication of how the game went was Farragut’s 41-20 rebound margin and Von Steuben’s 27 percent shooting. The Panthers couldn’t solve the Admirals’ defense and made only 4 of 22 shots in the first half.
“It’s a triangle and two,” explained Nelson of the defense that combines zone and man-to-man. “Sometimes we chase and sometimes we don’t. Teams can’t figure it out. By the time they do, it’s too late.”
Farragut’s defense put the clamps on Von Steuben (24-7), a team that scored 91 points in the sectional final against Evanston. Ryne Hamblet had 13 and Angel Santiago added 10 but they made a combined 8 of 28 shots.
John Johnson came off the bench to score 13 but the other Panthers starters had a field goal and a free throw combined.
“Obviously, they were intent on not letting Ryan and Angel take the game away and do anything,” said Von Steuben coach Vince Carter.
