A thunderous match-up between two of Illinois’ top five high school boys’ basketball teams, Homewood-Flossmoor and Thornton, concluded in nail-biting fashion.
Both teams came into Sunday’s game at the Chelby Frazier Memorial Shootout with a record of 20-2.
The Vikings defeated the Wildcats 65-63, with senior point guard Gianni Cobb scoring a three-pointer with 1.5 seconds left.
Cobb shared with The Chicago Defender what was said in the huddle leading into the game’s final moments.
“Coach drew up a play up for Carson [Brownfield], but I said, ‘if it don’t work, just trust me,’” Cobb said. “That’s what happened I made a big shot.”
The Vikings previously defeated the Wildcats in the Championship round of the 50th Anniversary Big Dipper Tournament hosted by Rich Township (Dec. 29).
Both teams still have the remainder of the season to go.
Wildcats Forward Morez Johnson, who is ranked No. 1 in Illinois, shared how Sunday’s game prepared them for a potential playoff appearance and his freshman season at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
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“Me and my guys know what to do when we have situations [where] we’re down or up late in the game…[It’s] getting us ready,” Johnson said.
If the Wildcats make it into the post-season, they will play in the Class 3A division. Meanwhile, if the Vikings have similar success, they will play in the Class 4A division.
Regionals will begin on Feb. 19-23.
The State Finals would be hosted at the State Farm Center, where the Fighting Illini play, from March 7 to 9.
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