Tigers remain undefeated

In a key Southwest Prairie Conference contest, Plainfield North High School survived a 3-point barrage by Oswego and came away with a thrilling 73-70 overtime win over the host Panthers on Dec. 12.

"This was the best basketball game I have seen in a long time," North coach Nick DiForti said.

The score was tied at 8-8 with 5:33 remaining in the first quarter. The Panthers then put together a 10-3 run to close out the first session with a solid 18-11 lead.

North (7-0, 3-0) managed only one basket and a free throw in the final 5:33 of the first quarter. But in the second quarter, North took the ball to the basket and converted four layups in just 1:32 to cut the host's lead to 20-19.

Oswego finished with a 41-31 rebounding advantage.

The Panthers had their biggest lead following a rebound basket by Colin Seibert for a 29-21 edge with 1:58 to play in the first half.

The Tigers trailed 31-25 at half, but scored the first six points of the third quarter and tied the game at 31-31.

With the game tied at 61-61 and North in possession of the ball, the Tigers committed an unforced turnover with 14.8 seconds in regulation.

After a timeout, Oswego was unable to get the ball inside for a high-percentage final shot, and Mitchell's 3-point attempt was off target to send the game into the extra session.

The Panthers owned a brief 63-61 lead, before Scott Vachon, who was limited due to foul trouble, Kendall Frank and Devonta Davis converted layups to provide the Tigers with a 67-63 edge.

Reggie Lemon and Chris McMath then combined to go 6-of-6 from the free-throw line in the final 56 seconds.

Lemon led the Tigers with 22 points, while McMath came off the bench to score 17 of his 19 points in the second half and the overtime.

"Chris definitely needed that," DiForti said. "This was his best game of year, and he was tremendous. Ryan Crow has been doing a phenomenal job, and Chris is coming off the bench because of an injury. This was a good one to win."

Joe Kwiatowski had 13 rebounds for Oswego, and Andrew Ziemnik added 14 points. Andrew Galow, one to the top players in the conference, was hounded by Frank all night defensively and was held to just 13 points.