Lyons Basketball Bows Out In Sectional Final

From the beginning of the season, decided its mentality would be “never say die”, despite being up against the odds from day one.

The team lived in that frame of mind until the bitter end, which was a tough 64-51 loss to reigning class 4A state champ Simeon in the Argo sectional final.

Leading by as many as 10 early on and trailing by only five with under four minutes to play, the Lions displayed tremendous fight and commitment, reinforcing the top ten rank they had acquired by the conclusion of the regular season.

“Obviously we are proud of the way we played,” senior guard Spencer Mahoney said. “We didn’t let the factor that no one was giving us a chance in the game bother us and played our style.”

Contrary to Simeon’s 65-35 slaughter of LTHS in the 2009-10 postseason, Lyons was a competitive outfit all evening. Leading 22-12 in the second quarter, Lyons were the better side for stretches of the first half.

However, Simeon battled back to grab a 33-31 lead by halftime.

Out of the break, back and forth scoring kept the game close until Simeon broke out to a 46-40 lead after three quarters, receiving the ball at the start of the fourth.

Although the La Grange-based side got as close as 54-49 with nearly two minutes remaining, the Wolverines squad depth and patient ball movement proved to be too much for Lyons, much to the displeasure of the school’s boisterous fan base.

“We knew we had them where we wanted them when they were stalling with so much time left on the clock,” Mahoney said. “I’m so proud of every single player on this team.”

With senior sharpshooter Nick Zeisloft ruled out again due to an ankle injury, Mahoney, defensive duty included defending super-sophomore and Duke University-recruit Jabari Parker, was on defensive lockdown all night, holding the standout to 0 points overall.

But the second half of Simeon’s two-headed scoring monster, big man Rashawn McElrath, had a monster game including 14 points and five blocks. With balanced scoring, seniors Eric Powers and Dylan Fiedler led the Lions with double-digit point totals.

“This season was something no one could have dreamed of,” Mahoney said. “All of us know we will never be on a team like this one [again].”

The special vibe given out by the 2010-11 Lyons squad was duly recognized on facebook, as well, with both fans’ statuses “thanking the Lions” and players thanking fans for great support throughout the year.

And even in defeat, Mahoney cited the team’s habit of sticking together as yet another positive to a team that supposedly had few during the preseason.

“No complaining all year,” Mahoney said. “Everyone was willing to share the ball and play together. Really, this season was more than anyone could have asked for.”

Simeon will face Farragut in the Hinsdale Central super-sectional game Tuesday night.