
Many Homewood-Flossmoor followers had been already on the Chelby Frazier Memorial Shootout at 4 p.m. Sunday to get seats for the anticipated rematch with Thornton.
Three video games and virtually seven hours later in Thornwood’s fitness center, senior guard Gianni Cobb made it definitely worth the look ahead to the Vikings.
Cobb hit his second late-second basket in 31 days — each to sink highly effective Thornton — leaving coach Jamere Dismukes needing just one phrase to explain his standout.
“Winner,” Dismukes mentioned. “Gianni’s a winner. He got here to the bench and mentioned, ‘Coach, belief me.’ He informed his gamers to belief him. Gianni received open, and the remaining is historical past.”
With 1.5 seconds left, Dominic Pangallo inbounded the ball to Cobb for a fast catch and shoot, with Cobb draining a 3-pointer on the buzzer to present the Vikings a 65-63 victory.
Followers stormed the courtroom after the dramatic ending.
The primary time the Southland powers confronted was within the Dec. 29 finals of the Massive Dipper Match. The 6-foot Cobb scored the profitable layup with two seconds left, then stole the ball to seal a 53-52 victory.
Though he was knocked to the bottom throughout that sport, the Columbia-bound Cobb mentioned Sunday’s effort was “for certain” a harder shot to make in lifting H-F (21-2) to the win.
“I felt good after I let it go,” he mentioned of the 3-pointer. “I received to look at it drop in. They drew up a play, and I mentioned if it doesn’t work, simply belief me as a result of I’m going to ship them dwelling.
“That’s what occurred. I made a giant shot.”
Cobb completed with 22 factors, whereas Jayden Tyler added 17 and Carson Brownfield had 12.
Meyoh Swansey paced Thornton (20-3) with 19 factors. Illinois-bound Morez Johnson got here by means of with 16 factors and 12 rebounds.
Sophomore guard Zyheir Gardner had a steal within the closing seconds to protect Crete-Monee’s gorgeous 71-67 victory in triple extra time over Lindblom within the Frazier Shootout.
This got here 5 days after Lindblom knocked off Curie 73-66. Curie was ranked No. 1 within the state by The Related Press in Class 4A.
Gardner was in the fitting place on the proper time for the well timed theft.
“It was simply there,” Gardner mentioned. “I noticed what he gave me and I simply took it. It felt nice. It was refreshing to get a win like that — a high quality win.”
Gardner, a switch from Simeon, mentioned even by means of the Warriors (11-13) are making an extended climb for a profitable document, he’s having fun with his time.
“There have been new alternatives right here,” he mentioned. “There have been higher alternatives particularly for me. I must do what I must and contribute to an actual high quality group.”
Crete-Monee coach Jawan Nelson loves the protection of Gardner, who already established himself on offense in December with a 36-point efficiency in opposition to Tinley Park within the Massive Dipper Traditional.
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That broke a program document held by Joshua Evans from the 2017-18 season.
The sport between Crete-Monee and Lindblom was the second that went triple extra time within the shootout, which opened up with Little Village beating Bremen 66-58 in three overtimes.
Hillcrest’s Adam Web page grew up with older brother Julius Rollins, the Every day Southtown Participant of the Yr in 2020-21 who now performs for the Kent State Golden Flashes.
Other than making an attempt to maintain up together with his brother bodily on the courtroom, the junior guard/ahead mentioned he realized different issues from Rollins.
“Seeing him work so arduous has inspired me to work arduous and get a end result out of it,” Web page mentioned. “He taught me quite a bit about endurance and being affected person in a sport.
“He additionally taught me learn how to react in sure conditions and preserve my composure.”
Jeff Vorva is a contract reporter for the Every day Southtown.