EAST CHICAGO | East Chicago took six shots in the paint in the final 13 seconds Tuesday night, each one hitting iron and bouncing out.
When the buzzer sounded, Bowman Academy had survived with an emotional 61-60 win.
“I got to be lucky,” Bowman coach Marvin Rea said. “I got up on the right side of the bed.”
Bowman sophomore Davon Dillard sat out the Eagles' (11-9) last game. Against E.C. sophomore Hyron Edwards, Dillard wanted to let everyone know who the best 10th grader in the area, and perhaps the state, is.
Dillard scored a game-high 27 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, where there were nine lead changes and three ties. Dillard also grabbed 12 rebounds.
“(Edwards) is my guy,” Dillard said. “We're good friends off the floor. But I kept whispering in his ear and telling him I was going to keep bringing it at him. This feels good.
“This is a statement game.”
Arthur Haggard was the only other Eagle in double-figure scoring, chipping in 13 points.
Bowman, which has now defeated E.C. five consecutive times, did not play senior Antonio Pipkin, who is out with a lower back strain. He plans to be ready for next week's Class 2A Wheeler Sectional.
Edwards led the Cardinals (9-10) with 17 points. Jeremiah Ochoa, Anfernee Brown and Martayveus all scored 10 for E.C.
“We practice that every day,” E.C. coach Abe Brown said. “I can't believe one of those didn't go in. I thought they were all going in, but I'm the coach. We've lost several games like that this year.
“I told the guys that one of these times we're going to win one of these. With sectionals coming I believe this is the time one of these is going to go our way.
Please Wait…