Shockey, York come back to beat Maine West
Jubilation for the York boys basketball team and a hang with 'em for Maine West.
York, keyed by the outstanding play by senior Nate Shockey took away what looked like a sure Maine West win at the Ed Molitor Thnaksgiving Tournament Wednesday afternoon at Palatine High School.
The Warriors led 45-39 with 1:17 left in the game following Lucas Glaister's basket on an assist from Jared Pearson.
Shockey scored the last 5 points of the game including the game-winner with 3 seconds left to stun Maine West 46-45.
Maine West's 3-point try by Jacob Riedl with .07 left was short.
"I don't lack for confidence," said Shockey. "Just the years of playing and being in the right spot on the floor has helped me. I do what I have to do on the floor. I took what the defense gave me on the play and it just happened."
York (2-0) took possession of the ball with 17 seconds left when the Warriors (0-2) were called for an offensive foul. Following a timeout with 8 seconds left the Dukes set up the winning play.
"Our plan was to get Shockey the ball," said York's Jake Brandolino, who inbounded the ball. "He just made a great play and scored."
Shockey took the inbound pass but was covered. He passed the ball back to Brandolino who then found Shockey cutting to the basket on the left side.
"He's a great player and leader," said Brandolino. "He can handle these tough situations at the end very well. Just like this one.
"Jake made a nice play to get Shockey the ball," said York coach Vince Doran. "Nate is just a competitive kid. He's been through the battles. In our first two games he has really come through."
At the start it appeared the Dukes would not need heroics.
Taking advantage of six Maine West turnovers, York took a15-3 lead and settled for a 21-10 lead to end the first quarter.
With York leading 24-11 Maine West began to chip away at the lead, closing to 26-18 at halftime.
York led 31-24 after Shockey scored on a steal but then Maine West began to make its move.
Emmanuel Ajose scored on an assist from Dan Kentgen (8 points) to take a short-lived 35-34 with 1:24 left in the quarter. Shockey countered with two free throws after a technical foul as the Dukes led 36-35 after three quarters.
A 3-pointer by Pearson (18 points, five 3-pointers) and two free throws by Glasiter (9 points) gave Maine West a 40-36 lead.
Leading 40-39, the Warriors scored on a basket from AJ Ross, a free throw by Kentgen and Glasiter's basket. But the Warriors would miss 3 of 4 free throws that could have extended the lead.
Brandolino ignited the run for York with his basket at 1:04.
Jeff Grace added 9 points for York.
"No offensive rebounding in the first half, a total of 20 turnovers and missed free throws down the stretch hurt us," said Maine West coach Tom Prokopij. "Their pressure rattled us a little and then some guys just played a little too fast. Our defense is what helped us keep ourselves in the game. We're struggling to score right now. Making more baskets will keep us in games."