By David Gross ’22
Tuesday night at the Lions Den, Leo polished off its Catholic League regular season and rival Mount Carmel.
This competitive contest between teams with aspirations of making deep playoff runs will bring its defense into the post season.
The champions of the Catholic League White division bounced back from its loss to Marmion Academy Friday to beat the Caravan 36-33 and improve to 22-6 (7-1 CCL) on the season; Mount Carmel fell to 17-11 (5-3 CCL) after a low-scoring, nose-to-nose defensive contest at a packed Lions den.
The game started off with both teams combining to miss the game’s first eight field goal attempts. Leo junior Jeremiah Echols started off the scoring with a three pointer assisted by Karon Shavers, who then followed with a steal and assist on a three by Brian Kizer. On the next trip up the floor, Kizer assisted on another Echols’ bucket as the Lions raced to 8-0 lead, forcing a Caravan timeout.
After the timeout the Caravan went to a full-court trap to turn the tide its way.
Carmel’s Sam Ogeto made two free throws and freshman Da’Kylen Heard added four more points for the Caravan and that closed the gap to within one to end the first quarter.
The second quarter was similar to the first with both teams struggling to make a basket and turning the ball throughout, which led to a 17-14 Lions lead at half.
The second half began the same way the rest of the game had gone with frequent turnovers and missed shots until a 5-0 run off 5 straight points from Ogeto led to the Caravan’s first lead of the game at 19-17 with five minutes left in the quarter.
The quarter featured the teams trading baskets. The Lions regained the lead off of a robust Asa Harris reverse layup. Caravan freshman Ronald Johnson got the lead back before the Lions ended the quarter with a 27-26 lead after Shavers made three free throws after being fouled while shooting a three pointer as time was expiring.
The last quarter remained tightly contested with Leo holding a 34-32 lead with 23 seconds remaining. The Caravan missed four straight free throws and just couldn’t convert multiple opportunities on the offensive glass.
Marshaun Thornton made a free throw for the Caravan to bring the game within one but missed the second to tie the game. Nate Stephens came down with the rebound off the missed free throw and made two free throws to seal the Lions win. Luke Segroves missed a game tying three as time expired.
The Lions were led by the heady floor game of Shavers, who had five points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Stephens had four points, 10 rebounds, two steals, and three blocks. Kizer scored eight points, had 4 assists, and 6 rebounds. Echols tallied seven points, four assists and three rebounds. Harris contributed eight points and four rebounds.
The Caravan’s Da’Kylen Heard led the way with 12 points, nine rebounds and three steals.
Leo’s regular season concludes Friday night against Public League opponent Wells (18-5) at the Lions Den at 6:30 p.m. for Senior night to honor outgoing Leo seniors Michael Lewis and Xavier Smith.
Leo has been assigned to the Country Club Hills (Hillcrest) Sectional for 3A.
Top-seeded Leo will serve as the regional host and play the winner of Monday’s Noble/Hansberry-CICS Longwood game, which is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25.
The regional semifinal will tip off: 6 p.m.