D'Avanzo, Notre Dame stand tall against Lake Park
Sometimes a loss can wake up a key player, and even a whole team.
Last Friday night, Notre Dame had such a game as the Dons lost to rival St. Patrick 51-50 in Niles.
For 6-foot 8 senior center Anthony D'Avanzo, it was just the wake-up call he needed.
“After that game it kicked in to me that I had to play harder,” said D'Avanzo. “Since then I have played more physical, and with passion.”
So have the Dons. Notre Dame took charge down the stretch to defeat defending champion Lake Park 60-47 in the first semifinal Wednesday at the 38th Hardwood Classic at Wheeling. The win puts Notre Dame (10-2) against Libertyville in the tournament's championship game Saturday at 8:45 p.m.
“There was a little revenge on our minds, from when we lost to them in the championship game last year,” said D'Avanzo. “We're still adjusting to each other on the floor, but each game we're feeling more comfortable. Our inside game is our best option. Our offense is designed to get the ball inside. If it's not there then we kick it out.”
D'Avanzo came up with a 14-point, 5-rebound performance with steady play throughout, including 6 points in the early part of the fourth quarter when Lake Park was threatening. Ammar Becar also scored 14 points and had 6 rebounds, and Matt Strizel contributed 8 points and 5 assists.
Notre Dame never trailed, breaking out to an 8-0 run with Stritzel getting 2 assists to D'Avanzo.
Lake Park 6-4) was content with shooting from the outside. The Lancers hit on 11 of 26 attempts from 3-point range but had only 4 baskets inside the arc.
“We were not aggressive on offense,” said Lancers coach Josh Virostko. “I think we were intimidated by their size. Late in the game we got a little winded. When we had the ball, we really had to work hard for our shots. Notre Dame has a lot of seniors with experience and size. We had to play perfect to beat them. They were just the better team.”
Notre Dame opened up a 22-10 lead with 2:57 left in the first half on Chris Heinichen's 3-point play.
Lake Park chipped away with a 7-0 run to cut the gap to 22-17 with 1:52 left. Notre Dame led 27-22 at the break.
Notre Dame played even with Lake Park through the third and entered the fourth leading 41-36.
A 3 by Lancers guard Dan Hynes (15 points, on five 3s) cut the score to 43-41 with 7:07 left.
Lake Park trailed 52-47 after Garret Fant's steal and basket with 2:04 remaining but would not score again.
Notre Dame made 6 of 8 free throws and got a bucket from Elvin Husejnovic to put Lake Park away.
“On defense, D'Avanzo is a force,” said Notre Dame coach Tom Les. “For a tall kids he's got some nice footwork. The other players know that if we can get the ball to him in the block he can score.
“Before this tourney I thought our team didn't have the energy or focus to be where it should be,” said Les. “Each game we've played better.”