Sports
A Terry Good Job: LW North Upsets LW East
Phoenix build big lead in first half, then stave off resurgent Griffins for boys basketball coach John Terry's first career victory.
When Lincoln-Way North boys basketball coach John Terry sits down for Thanksgiving dinner, he'll reflect and be especially thankful for Jake Harper, Lance Payne and even Lincoln-Way East coach Rich Kolimas.
The Phoenix built a big lead early and held on late to defeat the Griffins 51-42 on Wednesday in a "Pheast of the Phoenix" basketball tournament matchup pitting the two district rivals. The victory was No. 1 in Terry's head coaching career.
Payne scored a game-high 20 points and Harper drained a huge 3-pointer with under 2 minutes left to lead the Phoenix, while Kolimas has been Terry's mentor.
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"I was impressed with our intensity and that everyone contributed," Terry said. "It was a great team victory and I have to give the guys credit but also coach Kolimas and those guys who taught me everything I know about the game of basketball. I owe this victory to them because without them I wouldn't be here today."
Lincoln-Way North (1-2) took control early, taking advantage of poor shooting by the Griffins, to build a 26-13 at halftime.
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"We struggled shooting the ball and (Lincoln-Way North) was able to knock down some 3s and get a lead that put us back on our heels a bit," Kolimas said. "They pressured the right guys and took us out of some things by playing some very good defense."
Lincoln-Way East (2-1) battled all the way back to within 36-35 with 6:18 remaining in the fourth quarter on an inside by junior Joel Magrum and then took the lead midway through the quarter on a 3-pointer by Matt Spudic.
"They increased the pressure at the start of the fourth quarter and our kids didn't handle it very well," Terry said. "I called timeout and said, 'Listen guys, they're bringing the pressure and it's a game of runs. Let's stop their run and not play prevent defense but continue to attack and that's what we did.' "
Brandon Collins answered for the Phoenix with a 3-pointer to put North ahead 41-40 before Harper buried one from behind the arc with 1:54 remaining to make it 44-40.
"I'm a senior leader and wasn't hitting my shot but wanted a chance to come up big against our rival," Harper said. "I don't like losing very much and was thinking about getting a chance to do something."
North outscored East 13-2 to close out the game.
"We were down 13 at half and we chipped away a little bit and then made our run," Kolimas said. "In the course of the run, we got a little fatigued. I shortened my bench a bit because I thought the bench wasn't producing and maybe that bit us in the end a little bit because they were fresher."
Jelani Yancy led East with 12 points and Jaelan Jones added 10 points.