Sports

Boys Basketball: L-Way East Slams Door Shut on Sandburg

Lincoln-Way East 45, Sandburg 32. Griffins explode for 21 points in the fourth quarter, earn a spot in the Class 4A Lincoln-Way North Regional title game.

The Hot Read: The third meeting of the season between Lincoln-Way East and Sandburg played out like a chess match for three quarters. Then, the Griffins cracked the Eagles with a fourth-quarter flurry in a 45-32 boys basketball victory on Wednesday night at the Class 4A Lincoln-Way North Regional. The Griffins closed the game on a 21-11 run after entering the fourth quarter clinging to a 24-21 lead.

Key Stats: Sandburg made just 7-of-19 shots from the free-throw line. Lincoln-Way East converted 12-of-15 from the line. Sandburg also was just 11-of-45 from the floor. The Griffins were 15-of-38.

Patch MVP: Lincoln-Way East's Zoran Arsenovic scored 15 points and had a pair of steals in the win for the Griffins.

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Lincoln-Way East Leaders: Zoran Arsenovic (15 points, 2 steals, 2 rebounds), Jeremy Jones (12 points, 5 rebounds), Jaelan Jones (11 points, 6 rebounds).

Sandburg Leaders: Ken Payonk (9 points, 9 rebounds). Nick Lehnerer (8 points, 2 rebounds). Jason Viane (8 points, 2 reboumds).

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Quotable I: Griffins coach Rich Kolimas: "We hit some shots early and got out to a nice lead. Then, it was a game played in mud because we know their personnel very well. Every call is like a chess match. I thought our defense did a great job closing lanes."

Quotable II:  Sandburg coach Todd Allen: "We couldn't make any shots. We picked a bad night to shoot poorly. They really played well, and their zone was very effective. I thought we had some lapses on defense and we had some poor turnovers. We just could never get over the hump. I'm proud of this group this year." 

Team Records: Lincoln-Way East improves to 16-11. Sandburg finishes the year at 17-10.

What's Next: Lincoln-Way East will take on Thornton at 7:30 p.m. Friday for the Class 4A Lincoln-Way North Regional title.


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