http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5evW0ahak4
Having lost their last five meetings against Bishop’s, it would have been easy for Francis Parker to accept a sixth down 10 late in the third quarter on Wednesday night. Instead the Lancers flipped the script, grinding out a 56-52 win over the 10th-ranked Knights.
“It took everybody’s best effort,” said Francis Parker guard Deon Randall. “We played really well on all cylinders and it was a fun victory.”
Randall made three free throws in the final 22 seconds to preserve the victory for Francis Parker. The Lancers last win over Bishop’s came three years ago.
“Last year, they beat us three straight times, so I wasn’t going to let that happen and our team wasn’t going to let that happen to us again,” Randall said.
For most of the game, however, it looked like Bishop’s was headed towards another win over Francis Parker. Tied at nine after the first quarter, the Knights got their offense going in the second quarter thanks to guard Malik Love’s ability to distribute the ball. Love dished out five assists and help Bishop’s open up a 10-point halftime lead.
Francis Parker scored the first four points of the third quarter, but could not get closer than six in a back and forth stretch. But rather than get down, the Lancers kept pushing – even facing a 10-point deficit with two minutes left in the quarter.
“You can’t come in with that mindset,” Randall said. “You have to come in with the mindset that you’re going to win and shoot the ball with confidence.”
The Lancers closed the third quarter on a 12-2 run, sparked by guard Andrew Greenberg. Greenberg scored seven of his nine points during the run, including the last five points of the quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Francis Parker took their first lead of the game with five minutes left and never trailed the rest of the way, clutching onto a slim lead. With 13 seconds to play and a protecting a two-point lead, the Lancers stripped the ball from Bishop’s guard Dominique Watkins in the lane. Randall was fouled and hit both free throws on the ensuing possession to put the game out of reach.
“We picked it up in the second half,” Randall said. “I really enjoyed that victory.” Randall scored a game-high 21 points to lead Francis Parker. Guard Dalante Dunklin (15 points) also finished in double digits for the Lancers, who have won four of their last five games.
“We have a lot of confidence this season and I think we should be seeded in the top 10 in the county,” Randall said. “We have a lot of experience and our team has a lot of chemistry on and off the court.”
In a losing effort, forward Stephen Kaiser led Bishop’s with 14 points. Knights guard Malik Love scored only four of his 13 points in the second half, and fouled out late in the game. The loss snapped an eight-game winning streak for Bishop’s.
Francis Parker – 56 (9-10-25-12)
Randall 21, Dunklin 15, Greenberg 9, Norman 9, Fitzner 0 (starters) Colachis 2
Bishop’s – 52 (9-20-15-8)
Kaiser 14, M. Love 13, D. Love 9, Chong 8, Watkins 8 (starters)
Francis Parker guard Dalante Dunklin drives against Bishop’s forward Stephen Kaiser
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5evW0ahak4
Having lost their last five meetings against Bishop’s, it would have been easy for Francis Parker to accept a sixth down 10 late in the third quarter on Wednesday night. Instead the Lancers flipped the script, grinding out a 56-52 win over the 10th-ranked Knights.
“It took everybody’s best effort,” said Francis Parker guard Deon Randall. “We played really well on all cylinders and it was a fun victory.”
Randall made three free throws in the final 22 seconds to preserve the victory for Francis Parker. The Lancers last win over Bishop’s came three years ago.
“Last year, they beat us three straight times, so I wasn’t going to let that happen and our team wasn’t going to let that happen to us again,” Randall said.
For most of the game, however, it looked like Bishop’s was headed towards another win over Francis Parker. Tied at nine after the first quarter, the Knights got their offense going in the second quarter thanks to guard Malik Love’s ability to distribute the ball. Love dished out five assists and help Bishop’s open up a 10-point halftime lead.
Francis Parker scored the first four points of the third quarter, but could not get closer than six in a back and forth stretch. But rather than get down, the Lancers kept pushing – even facing a 10-point deficit with two minutes left in the quarter.
“You can’t come in with that mindset,” Randall said. “You have to come in with the mindset that you’re going to win and shoot the ball with confidence.”
The Lancers closed the third quarter on a 12-2 run, sparked by guard Andrew Greenberg. Greenberg scored seven of his nine points during the run, including the last five points of the quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Francis Parker took their first lead of the game with five minutes left and never trailed the rest of the way, clutching onto a slim lead. With 13 seconds to play and a protecting a two-point lead, the Lancers stripped the ball from Bishop’s guard Dominique Watkins in the lane. Randall was fouled and hit both free throws on the ensuing possession to put the game out of reach.
“We picked it up in the second half,” Randall said. “I really enjoyed that victory.” Randall scored a game-high 21 points to lead Francis Parker. Guard Dalante Dunklin (15 points) also finished in double digits for the Lancers, who have won four of their last five games.
“We have a lot of confidence this season and I think we should be seeded in the top 10 in the county,” Randall said. “We have a lot of experience and our team has a lot of chemistry on and off the court.”
In a losing effort, forward Stephen Kaiser led Bishop’s with 14 points. Knights guard Malik Love scored only four of his 13 points in the second half, and fouled out late in the game. The loss snapped an eight-game winning streak for Bishop’s.
Francis Parker – 56 (9-10-25-12)
Randall 21, Dunklin 15, Greenberg 9, Norman 9, Fitzner 0 (starters) Colachis 2
Bishop’s – 52 (9-20-15-8)
Kaiser 14, M. Love 13, D. Love 9, Chong 8, Watkins 8 (starters)
Francis Parker guard Dalante Dunklin drives against Bishop’s forward Stephen Kaiser