Ignatius Storms Back vs Simeon in Sectional Semifinal

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By halftime, I was already drafting my article headlining another Simeon upset. But I was forced to throw that out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a thrilling sectional semifinal at Mt. Carmel, St. Ignatius erased a 14-point first half deficit to win a 50-49 classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At first, this game wasn't close. [player_tooltip player_id='2532341' first='Keyae' last='Lacy'] had the hot hand for Simeon in the games early stages. Nailing 3/3 three-pointers to put the [program_tooltip program_id='2076046' first='Wolverines' last=''] up 8 points in the first five minutes. Then Kaiden Williams got in on the action to put the [program_tooltip program_id='2076046' first='Wolverines' last=''] up double figures.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The [program_tooltip program_id='2076046' first='Wolverines' last=''] couldn't be stopped as the opening frame went on as we saw [player_tooltip player_id='2436956' first='Kamari' last='Hamlin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3430207' first='Jayden' last='King'] become aggressive in this contest. Pushing the Wolverine lead as high as 14.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite being down 10 at half, the Wolfpack made this a contest with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2531962' first='Amir' last='Tucker'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='2446999' first='Nico' last='Harris'] drilling 3-pointers. Then Tucker hit another to make it a 3-point game. Eventually, the Wolfpack tied it after trailing by as much as 14 points in this game. Much of that thanks to the efforts of [player_tooltip player_id='2323283' first='Chris' last='Bolte'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2839874' first='Chris' last='Chittaro']. Both excelling on the defensive end, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With four minutes left, Bolte converted another tough layup to tie the game at 42. After a missed dunk on the other end. Amit Tucker drilled a deep 3-pointer to give the Wolfpack their first lead of the game. [player_tooltip player_id='2532341' first='Keyae' last='Lacy'] layup made it a 1-point game with 45 seconds left. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>22 seconds left. Ignatius ball up one. [player_tooltip player_id='2531962' first='Amir' last='Tucker'] steps out of bounds. Giving the ball to Simeon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the following possession, [player_tooltip player_id='2323288' first='Isaiah' last='Coleman'] converts a driving layup for Simeon. Putting them up 49-48 with the clock ticking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No hesitation, Ignatius throws it deep off the inbound to a running [player_tooltip player_id='2323283' first='Chris' last='Bolte']. He takes a dribble and slams it home. Giving the Wolfpack a 50-49 lead with just a few second left. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An inbound heave would not be enough for Simeon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The comeback was complete. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've seen plenty of good games in eight years covering high school hoops in Illinois. This matchup was definitely one of the best I've covered.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(2) Ignatius will face (1) Curie in the sectional Championship at Mt. Carmel Friday night. 7pm Tipoff</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->