Simeon senior Lazeric Jones admitted he was “a little scared” when Champaign Central took a 10-point fourth-quarter lead 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.
The Wolverines play Marshall in the first all-Public League title game Saturday.
“I wouldn’t say this to my coaches, but we came out really rattled,” Jones said. “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 the Wolverines outscored the Maroons 23-8 the rest of the way.
Simeon 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.
Simeon’s Stanley Simpson finished with a game-high 16 points and six rebounds. Verdell Jones led Champaign with 15 points.
———-
ckane@tribune.com
