Providence falls in rematch with Leo
CHICAGO -- The first time that Providence Catholic High School and Leo played, 207 points were scored in the four-overtime Chicago Catholic League crossover game.
Leo won that game, 109-98.
Friday's rematch was much lower-scoring with Leo taking a 63-56 decision over the Celtics in the Catholic League Tournament.
The Celtics (12-12) played well in the first quarter. It looked like they may spring the upset over the Lions (18-6) in their small gymnasium.
Providence owned a 17-14 lead in the first quarter. During the first eight minutes, the Celtics owned leads of 7-2 and 15-7.
Coming up big in the first quarter for Providence was senior Drew Grennell who scored 10 of his game-high 20 points. On the night, he shot 6-of-11 and made 2-of-4 3-pointers. The 6-foot-5 Grennell all 6 of his free throws.
"I thought Drew carried us in the first quarter," Providence coach Greg Smith said. "He played a good game and shot well."
Providence bolted to a 24-17 lead with 3:28 remaining in the first half.
But Leo closed the opening half with a 16-6 run to take a 33-30 lead it would never relinquish.
"In the second quarter, Leo found the range and made us pay for some turnovers," Smith said. "But it was Leo's offensive work on the boards that killed us throughout the game. We gave them too many offensive boards and that played a difference in the game's outcome."
The Lions owned a 39-24 rebounding edge over the Celtics. On the offensive glass, Leo had 20 rebounds compared to 7 for Providence.
Pounding the boards with authority for Leo was 6-5 juniorforward Darwin Rogers who had a game-high 15 rebounds. He had 8 offensive boards.
"The first time we played Leo, their penetration hurt us more than anything," Smith said. "So, we played a zone for the most part in this game. We did not box out very well and Rogers took advantage of that. He really hurt us on the boards.
"Every time we would make a run, or force Leo into a bad shot, they would get the rebound and make us pay."
The Celtics, who shot 39.5 percent (17-of-43), allowed 21 more shots. Leo shot 25-of-64 (39.1 percent).
Providence closed to within 56-50 on a Grennell 3-pointer, but that was the closest the Celtics would get.
Providence senior guard Will Burchette scored 12 points while his brother, Jack, finished with 8 points and a team-high 11 rebounds.
"We are a team which relies a lot on the 3-pointer," Smith said. "But Leo's pressure and the smaller court hurt us."
