Lawrence North capitalizes on Crispus Attucks mistakes down the stretch to advance to the Sectional title game. Championship teams are not defined by their dominance, but by their heart and will to win in moments where things are bleak. Friday night at Lawrence Central, the No. 2 Lawrence North Wildcats showed their championship grit in a thrilling 76-73 win over Crispus Attucks.
Attucks came out of the gate swinging with two 3-pointers from star Sincere McMahon, but after the first three minutes of the game Lawrence North led every moment until halftime. The Wildcats did a great job of containing McMahon in the first half by double teaming him off dribble penetration. At the half Lawrence North held a 42-33 lead and Attucks was looking for a way to get their star going.
In the third, Attucks got McMahon in a rhythm from deep while getting his teammates involved in the scoring. With the momentum shift and a four point deficit going into the fourth, Attucks looked for a chance at THEE upset of the IHSAA State Tournament.
An early 10-6 run tied the game at 61 in the 4th and Attucks looked poised to take the opportunity to lead. Scoring 5 quick points off of turnovers had Crispus Attucks leading for the first time in the evening. With 1:15 left Attucks held a 70-65 lead and the game seemed all but in hand.
Lawrence North pressed Attucks and caused 2 consecutive turnovers from standout Tony Perkins who scored off one turnover and assisted on the other. The game was quickly 71-70 with 45 seconds left and had Attucks failed to break the press or LN’s momentum even though they had two timeouts to work with.
Perkins scored another bucket after one more costly turnover from Attucks to take a 73-72 lead, but with ice in his veins Sincere McMahon immediately drove down the court and scored a layup to regain the lead. Tony Perkins refused to be denied in the end with another score and a Shamar Avance layup sealed the deal for LN.
Crispus Attucks had opportunities to seal the game between shooting 50% from the line in the final two minutes and three costly turnovers while having timeouts to spare. Lawrence North did what great teams do and that was to capitalize off of those mistakes to advance to Saturday night’s Sectional Championship against Malik Stanley and the Warren Central Warriors.
