Boys Basketball: Tavari Johnson gets in a ‘zone,’ but Young turns away Lyons in sectional final

HILLSIDE – Senior guard Tavari Johnson led a shooting clinic by the Lyons Township boys basketball team that began the second half of Friday’s Class 4A Proviso West Sectional final.

Johnson hit all of five of his three-point attempts, including three in a row as far behind the arc or quickly as needed. The Lions were back in their game against top-seeded Whitney Young.

“It was a lot of confidence. We had to do something,” Johnson said. “I was just the one that stepped up at that moment, but there’s other games where a lot of other people stepped up.”

The Lions, however, struggled offensively most of the game and afterwards and lost 67-51 in the quest for their first sectional title since 2001. After making seven consecutive shots to cut a 32-20 halftime deficit to 43-40, the No. 3-seeded Lions (26-6) went 1 of 14 to fall behind 59-42 with 4:37 left.

LT never again got closer than 13 points.

“We didn’t shoot the best tonight. We still battled. Love my teammates,” starting LT senior guard Aidan Sullivan said. “I was just trying to get the ball to Tavari. I’ve never seen anything like that. It felt like every time we came down the court, you might as well put three points up on the board because it was going in. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people, cheer for one team. It was just crazy how loud it was.”

The Akron-bound Johnson finished with 23 points and the five three-pointers. Junior Nik Polonowski had seven points, senior Will Carroll (seven rebounds) had five points and Sullivan (six rebounds), senior Billy Bach and junior Graham Smith (six rebounds) each had four points.

LT finished 23 for 58 shooting (40 percent) with eight threes and no free throws. Whitney Young (24-9) had just six fouls. Johnson’s threes and one by Polonowski during the hot-shooting stretch helped the Lions finish 8 for 17 on threes.

“We were going to have to shoot really well (to win), but we missed some good looks that would have helped and Whitney Young’s really good and they made a lot of shots and free throws (13 of 16),” LT coach Tom Sloan said. “(Johnson) was in a zone and just started drilling shots from everywhere. He’s a tremendous player and we were blessed to have had the opportunity to work with him.”

Young 6-foot-8 senior and Miami recruit AJ Casey had 18 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks to lead four Dolphins in double figures. LT still only trailed 50-42 entering the fourth quarter but on Young’s first four possessions, Casey whipped a one-hand cross-court pass to Daniel Johnson for a three, Johnson and Northern Illinois recruit Xavier Amos had back-to-back dunks and Johnson scored inside.

“We could have sat back in a 2-3 zone and let them run out the clock and lose by seven or eight points. We chose to try and win and they were able to handle the ball and make layups and free throws,” Sloan said. “The (final) score was not a representation of how hard the kids fought. We’re focusing on everything this group accomplished. It’s a tremendous season and just an incredible group of kids.”

The Dolphins took an 11-2 lead with nine points from Casey. LT closed to 13-8 by the end of the first quarter and 13-12 but the Dolphins’ 15-for-27 shooting resulted in the 12-point halftime lead.

“It’s something I’ll never forget, how good this team was,” Johnson said. “It was closest team I’ve had at LT and for probably ever. It was playing with my best friends that was all that I ever wanted.”

After a lengthy post-game meeting, the first people meeting Johnson outside the locker room were young autograph seekers.

“Our motto is TEAM – everyone together achieves more. I think this group sums that up as well as any group I’ve ever worked with,” Sloan said. “We’ve never had 8-year-old kids getting autographs from the players half an hour after the game. They have an infectious enthusiasm that you could feel and it’s really special. It’s a special group.”