Boys Basketball: Lehnerer's Zone-Busting Performance Powers Sandburg Past L-W East

Sandburg 68, Lincoln-Way East 57: Nick Lehnerer erupted for a career-high 27 points as the Eagles jumped to a 40-27 first-half lead and staved off the Griffins in a Southwest Suburban Blue matchup Friday night in Frankfort.

The Skinny: There was only one thing missing from Nick Lehnerer’s highlight-reel shooting performance in Sandburg’s 68-57 boys basketball victory over Lincoln-Way East on Friday night in Frankfort. The cue to play the movie soundtrack. “If there’s something strange in your basketball neighborhood, who ya gonna call? Zonebusters.” Lehnerer scored a career-high 27 points on 9-of-12 shooting as the Eagles busted East’s 2-3 zone. He made 6-of-8 from three-point range, spotting up on the arc and playing a game of catch-and-shoot after his teammates used dribble penetration to draw the Griffins away from him. Patch’s MVP: Nick Lehnerer, 6-1, senior guard, Sandburg. He made 9-of-12 shots and scored a career-high 27 points. He rained down six 3-…

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Boys Basketball: Yancy Leads L-W East Past L-W North in Medieval Classic Title Game

Lincoln-Way East 61, Lincoln-Way North 50: The Griffins, powered by Jay Yancy's 25 points, downed the Phoenix to take Medieval Classic championship on their home court Thursday night.

The Skinny: After the Lincoln-Way East Griffins girls team got the job done against the Lincoln-Way North Phoenix in the championship game of the Medieval Classic, it was the boys turn to follow suit. Aiming not to disappoint, the Griffins used an array of three-point shooting and tough rebounds to nab the title against their sister school, Lincoln-Way North, in the boys championship game, 61-50. The Griffins and Phoenix traded treys throughout the game, but it was East's Princeton offense that was the difference. The Griffins used backdoor cuts and sublime passing to find open-man after open-man late to seal the win. Patch’s MVP: Lincoln-Way East's Jay Yancy, who was also the tournament MVP, had a game-high 25 points in the victory. Yancy…

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Boys Basketball Photo Gallery: H-F, Williams Dunk L-W East with Third-Quarter Burst

Homewood-Flossmoor 60, Lincoln-Way East 45: Tim Williams led the Vikings to a big victory on Friday night in Southwest Suburban Blue boys basketball action.

One minute he was dunking the basketball. The next Homewood-Flossmoor's Tim Williams was firing in three-pointers. Williams scored 19 points and hit three 3-pointers in H-F's 60-45 boys basketball victory over Lincoln-Way East on Friday night at Homewood-Flossmoor. Tyrone Sherman added nine points for the Vikings. H-F used a 16-0 third-quarter scoring run to distance itself from Lincoln-Way East. The Griffins were led by Jelani Yancy's 12 points. Check out the photo highlights.

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Boys Basketball: L-W East Fall in Overtime to Joliet Central

Jonah Coble hits game-winning three-pointer in overtime to push Joliet Central past Lincoln-Way East 59-58 in boys basketball on Friday night.

L-W East Calls on Defensive Trio for Offensive Punch

Kevin Bayer, Matt Solner and Joel Magrum prove to be more than defensive lineman, as they help the Lincoln-Way East offense score the game-winning touchdown in Friday night's big game against Bolingbrook.

Those who follow high school football in the Chicago area most likely know about Lincoln-Way East quarterback Blake Winker's strong and accurate arm, as well as his great ability to read defenses. When you think of the Griffins and their offensive firepower, the story starts with Winkler and wide receivers J.J. Robertson and Jay Yancy. In Friday night’s crucial SouthWest Suburban Blue battle of unbeatens, three familiar names rose to the occasion to help the Griffins rally past Bolingbrook for a 20-14 victory—though this time they were players normally found on the defensive side of the ball. Facing a fourth-and-2 on Bolingbrook's 46-yard line late in the third quarter, the Griffins inserted 6-foot-5, 210-pound senior Joel Magrum at tight …

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Analysis: Griffins Have Building Blocks In Place

After a tough loss to Thornton in the regional title game, Lincoln-Way East can look ahead to a promising future.

Thornton didn't have all phases of its powerful attack in synch Friday night in the regional title game showdown with Lincoln-Way East. The Wildcats were just 13-of-30 from the free-throw line. But in the end, they showed their explosiveness, led by Brandon Brame (18 points). Meanwhile, Lincoln-Way East could never consistently establish its halfcourt offense against the Wildcats. The Griffins committed 25 turnovers. The result was Thornton’s 65-47 victory for the Lincoln-Way North Regional crown and a ticket to the Thornwood Sectional. While the season is over for the Griffins, there are signs of hope on the road to greater success. The team’s 16-12 record was much better than last season’s nine-win mark. Next season, Jelani Yancy and …

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Boys Basketball: Lincoln-Way East Closes Regular Season in Impressive Fashion

Lincoln-Way East 57, Lockport 52. Griffins celebrate Senior Night by upsetting Lockport and earning win No. 15.

The Hot Read: Lincoln-Way East used inspired play on Senior Night to upset Lockport 57-52 Friday in the regular-season finale for both Southwest Suburban Blue teams. The Griffins built double-digit leads on three occasions and were able to hold off each comeback attempt by the Porters, who finished second behind Homewood-Flossmoor in the conference. Lockport was within 35-32 early in the fourth quarter, but Lincoln-Way East used a 13-4 run to grab a 48-36 lead and never let the Porters get closer than the final score. Lincoln-Way East held Lockport standout Karrington Ward scoreless through the first three quarters. Patch’s MVP: Lincoln-Way East junior guard Jelani Yancy scored 13 of his game-high 16 points in the second half, including …

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Boys Basketball: Sandburg Rallies, Then Holds on to Beat Lincoln-Way East

Sandburg 49, Lincoln-Way East 43: Conference rivals will meet again in postseason opener.

The Hot Read: For the second time this season, this Southwest Suburban Conference Blue matchup came down to the wire. After overcoming a 15-2 first-quarter deficit, Sandburg needed to hold off a late rush by Lincoln-Way East to even the season series. The Eagles trailed 15-6 after one quarter and 21-20 at halftime, but grabbed a 36-31 lead after three quarters and stretched the advantage to 42-33 with 3:44 remaining. The host Griffins, however, went on an impressive 10-2 run to pull within 44-43 with 31.8 remaining. Sandburg’s Jason Viane hit a pair of clutch free throws with 22.6 on the clock to make it 46-43. Lincoln-Way East had a chance to tie the game, but Jelani Yancy’s three-pointer was off the mark and Sandburg’s Brian Dace grabbed…

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Boys Basketball: Oddo, Kozan Combine for 36 as Providence Downs Lincoln-Way East

Providence 55, Lincoln-Way East 51. Providence guards Brian Oddo and Kevin Kozan score 19 and 17 points, respectively, to lead visiting Celtics past Griffins in non-conference action Tuesday night in Frankfort.

The Hot Read: Lincoln-Way East, after falling in a cavernous early hole, made its run against Providence in the third quarter with pressure defense as its primary imprint.
 Jelani Yancy tied the game at 33-all with 2:17 remaining in the third quarter.
 It would ultimately be the lone tie in the Celtics’ 55-51 victory in non-conference action Tuesday night in Frankfort.
 In a 57-second span, Providence had an eight-point unanswered blitz behind a Mike Maretti inside score and back-to-back three-pointers from Kevin Kozan and Blaise Houston.
 Brian Oddo, who tied the Griffins’ Michael Thompson for game-scoring honors with 19 points, restored the Celtics’ double-digit cushion on the ensuing possession.
 The lead, which stretched to 14 points …

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Boys Basketball: Lincoln-Way East Breezes Past Joliet Central

Lincoln-Way East 67, Joliet Central 46. The Griffins raced to a 12-0 lead and coasted to the home victory.

The Hot Read: Lincoln-Way East’s Griffins were not about to let Joliet Central beat them again. The Griffins put pressure on the Steelmen early and opened the game by scoring 12 unanswered points en route to a 15-4 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Griffins jumped out to a 30-15 lead at halftime.  Patch's MVP: Jaelan Jones (12 points, 5 rebounds) completed a three-point play in the first quarter to help give the Griffins to the 12-0 lead.  Key Stats: Joliet Central made only eight of its 19 free-throw attempts. Lincoln-Way Eeast went 13-of-19 from the foul line.  Lincoln-Way East's Leaders: In addition to Jones: Michael Thompson (12 points, 4 rebounds), Matt Spudic (12 points) and Joel Magrum (7 points, 3 rebounds).  Joliet Central…

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