By Patrick Z. McGavin
Westinghouse guard Damien (DJ) Bolden saw what appeared to be an immovable object protecting the Lane rim.
The Champions’ 6-foot-8-inch Dalton Scantlebury was playing the game of his life.
“I saw the big dude on the blocks, but I knew my speed, and I knew I could get past him,” Bolden said. “I just had to make sure he couldn’t block it when I was in there, so I had to maneuver the ball.”
Bolden kissed a gorgeous runner off the glass for the Warriors’ 67-65 victory in Red-North West action Wednesday at Lane.
The basket came with 12 seconds to play, and were his only points of the second half.
Lane (11-10, 4-2) had two chances in the closing moments, only to watch a layup attempt roll off the rim and a baseline jumper come up just short.
Scantlebury was magnificent with 26 points, 18 rebounds and four blocked shots.
“Nobody knows about him because he was injured all summer and didn’t play with us,” Lane coach Nick LoGalbo said. “He also missed all of December, and we’ve only had him for probably 10, or 11 games, and we’re still getting used to playing with him.”
Senior guards Askia Bullie and Trayvon Ali scored 16 points apiece for the Warriors (14-5, 5-1).
Senior guards Shaheed Solebo scored 17 points and Jackson Labkon contributed 12 points for the Champions.
The Bolden game-winner punctuated a remarkable and consequential closing final minute of play.
With 1:18 remaining, he crashed under the Lane basket, and had to be medically attended.
In the immediate aftermath, with the score knotted at 65, Lane pushed the ball up the floor and appeared to generate two free throws off a Westinghouse foul. The officials conferred and ruled the injury took precedence and stopped any play.
Lane was awarded the ball. The Champions committed a five-second violation with :59 remaining.
Westinghouse worked the ball down to :19.4 seconds and called time out.
“The play was supposed to go to our point guard (Bullie), but I saw an opening, just like our last game,” Bolden said.
Westinghouse, Lane and Lincoln Park entered Wednesday action in a three-way tie for first place in the Red North/West.
The first half was an electrifying contrast between the perimeter game and brilliant outside shooting by the Warriors, and the inside action of Scantlebury.
Bolden hit three consecutive 3-pointers from the end of the first quarter to the start of the second period.
Westinghouse made an astounding nine 3-pointers in the first half.
“When my outside jumper is working like that, it gives me so many benefits and the chance to get to the basket,” Bolden said.
Scantlebury was a force of nature, showing deft footwork, a relentless offensive rebounding style, and a soft touch around the basket.
He scored 18 points in the first half.
Riding the momentum of two Labkon 3-pointers, Lane closed out the second half with its own 13-0 run for the 43-39 halftime advantage.
Westinghouse was like a track team, and the hot shooters passed their brilliant touch like a baton from one to the other.
Held to just two points in the first half, Ali exploded for four straight baskets from distance to start the third quarter.
Fourteen of Westinghouse’s first 21 baskets were 3-pointers, or two thirds of their output.
“Holden is one of the best offensive players we’ve gone against this year,” LoGalbo said. “We made some adjustments and did a great job with him holding him to just two points in the second half. That No. 3 (Bullie) is their catch-and-shoot guy, and we were slow on our rotations with him.”
Ali and Bullie combined for six 3-pointers as Westinghouse started the third quarter on a 20-4 run.
“Our chemistry is just unmatchable,” Bolden said. “We can really play together, and that’s always our goal.
“I’m just glad to be on this team.”
Photos by Lane student Samuel Jaimes
Photos by Chicago Ag. Science student Ahmin Johnson
