L-Way C. staves off L-Way N. rallies
FRANKFORT -- For the first time ever, Lincoln-Way Central High School and Lincoln-Way North played each other in a boys varsity basketball game.
Despite trailing by as many as 10 points in the third quarter, Central fought back to post a 54-49 win over the Phoenix in the Medieval Classic.
The Knights (8-8) were down 37-27 with 2:12 remaining in the third quarter.
But Central forced four straight turnovers anc closed the third quarter with a 10-0 run to tie the game 37-37 entering the fourth quarter.
Seniors Eric Hockberger and Larry McMullin each scored 4 points in that 10-0 surge for the Knights, who play for third place at 4:30 p.m. today at Lincoln-Way East.
The fourth quarter belonged to Central, but not before six lead changes.
McMullin hit a 3-point shot with 1:10 left to put the Knights ahead for good at 50-48.
The 6-foot-4 McMullin finished with 15 points and 5 rebounds. He shot 6-of-12.
The 6-4 Hockberger scored a game-high 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting. He made all 5 free throws and grabbed 4 rebounds.
"There is no doubt that Larry and Eric have been our two constants all year long," Central coach Matt Smith said. "Larry took a big charge when we were up by two points late in the game. And Eric hit some big shots all night long.
"Seniors have to make big plays and both Eric and Larry made them all evening."
Hockberger hauled down a key rebound with 14 seconds remaining in the game off a missed free throw.
North (0-13) was led by junior Kendall Salley, who tallied 23 points. He played all 32 minutes.
The Phoenix played all five starters 98 percent of the game.
North led 26-19 at halftime.
"Central made a tremendous adjustment at halftime," North coach Bob Curran. "They did a great job of getting us in foul trouble in the second half. But I was very pleased with our effort. The kids never quit."
Smith was happy with how his team played down the stretch.
"We made some offensive and defensive adjustments to try and offset North's quickness," Smith said. "Thankfully, those adjustments worked."
The Knight forced the Phoenix into 18 turnovers, including 12 in the second half.
