Sports
Boys Basketball: Hall's Last-Second Bucket Caps Tinley Park's Dramatic Comeback
Tinley Park 61, Rich East 59. Senior guard's offensive rebound and put-back basket with 1.5 seconds to play Wednesday night completes Tinley's 13-point comeback in the fourth quarter and moves the Titans to the regional final.
The Hot Read: Tinley Park trailed 50-37 in the opening moments of the fourth quarter of Wednesday night’s Rich East Regional semifinal game. To that point, the Titans had looked out of rhythm offensively, and they were having a difficult time slowing down the Rich East attack. Then, the Titans proved their mettle. Junior guard Jon Calhoun hit two three-pointers in a row and later senior guard Andrew Sebastian knocked one down, and the Titans trailed by only 50-48 with about 5 minutes to play.
A back-and-forth battle ensued for the rest of the game, setting the stage for senior guard Aaron Hall. With Tinley Park trailing 59-58, the Titans had the ball with 5 seconds to play. Senior guard Cordero Rudder caught the ball off a sideline inbounds play and shot a three-pointer from the wing. The shot missed, but Hall was right there for the put-back with 1.5 seconds to play, and he was fouled. He made the free throw (even though his coach had told him to miss) to put Tinley Park ahead 61-59, and Rich East’s desperation three-quarter-court shot was partially blocked.
Patch’s MVP: Tinley Park’s Aaron Hall (9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals). While Hall didn’t score the most for the Titans, he had the bucket that mattered most.
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Key Stats: The Titans pounded the offensive glass and had 13 offensive rebounds. Also, Rich East committed 20 turnovers.
Tinley Park’s Leaders: In addition to Hall: senior forward Toney Core (13 points, 9 rebounds) and junior guard Jon Calhoun (19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists).
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Rich East’s Leaders: Junior forward Ronald Lawton (16 points, 8 rebounds) and senior forward Nate Cook (9 points).
Quotable: Tinley Park guard Aaron Hall on the game-winner: “Do whatever I can to get the ‘W.’ Get this rebound and put it back.”
Quotable II: Hall on his emotions after his put-back went in: “I can’t even explain it. I was screaming and jumping just like everyone else.”
Team Records: Tinley Park: 15-9, Rich East: 14-13
What’s Next: Tinley Park advances in the Rich East Regional to face top-seeded Brooks in Friday night’s title game. Rich East’s season is over.