Simeon senior Lazeric Jones cast a sideways glance toward coach Robert Smith and admitted he was “a little scared” when Champaign Central took a 10-point fourth-quarter lead over the Wolverines in a Class 3A semifinal at Carver Arena.
Sure, Jones had been Downstate before with two-time defending champion Simeon, but this time the view was different.
On the bench for much of last year’s Class AA title run, Jones left his seat to play the hero’s role Friday afternoon. His 10 fourth-quarter points helped Simeon pull off a 51-46 comeback win and set up a historic final. The Wolverines advance to play Marshall in the first all-Public League championship game.
“I wouldn’t say this to my coaches, but we came out really rattled,” Jones said. “We were forcing things. … Their crowd was really getting into it, but coach just told us to calm down.”
Simeon (29-3) trailed from the start of the second quarter. Champaign Central (24-8) built a 27-19 halftime lead and pulled ahead 38-28 with 7 minutes 28 seconds to play. But led by Jones, the Wolverines outscored the Maroons 23-8 the rest of the way, forcing eight fourth-quarter turnovers.
Simeon began to cut into Champaign’s lead with a full-court press that forced three consecutive turnovers and narrowed the gap to two points with 6:01 to play. The Wolverines put together another set of three steals, and Jones scored the last of his 14 points off the bench on a layup and ensuing free throw to put Simeon ahead for good with 2:14 left.
“He brings a lot of energy off the bench,” Simeon center Stanley Simpson said. “He’s a real good boost. He’s been doing this all year.”
Simpson, a transfer from Leo also playing in his first Final Four, was held to six points and one rebound in the first half, in part because of the efforts of Champaign’s 6-6, 250-pound center Keith Biggers. But Simpson stepped up his game in the second half to finish with a game-high 16 points and six rebounds.
Senior guard Verdell Jones scored 15 points to lead Champaign Central. Biggers finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out with 4:17 remaining, a welcome turn in the Wolverines’ comeback.
“We let them control it in the beginning,” Simpson said. “At halftime, coach said to just step it up and bring more passion and intensity to the game, and we did that.”
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ckane@tribune.com
