Boys Basketball

March 1, 2007

Lane Shocks Foreman!

Lane to play top seeded Loyola Academy this Friday in one of Lane's biggest basketball games in years

Lane  51

Foreman 35

(Loyola Academy- Wilmette, IL) Lane Tech went into this playoff game confident despite being seeded lower (9th) than higher seeded Foreman(7th). After all, Lane came into this game with a great playoff run in the City Consolation Tournament before finishing runner up to Carver. Plus, earlier this year, they gave Foreman all they could handle in a 61-59 loss to Foreman. Well, Lane's confidence coupled with good old fashioned solid play led to a 51-35 upset of Foreman.

The game started bad for Foreman as Lane jumped to an 11-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter started even worse for Foreman as Lane went on a 9-2 to open the quarter. Four of the points was scored on two easy fast break layups by guard John Holzman after Lane steals on the Foreman side of the court.

 "They've beaten us twice, but that should help us get ready. We have to go out there and do the things we do to win. If we rebound and take care of the ball. I'll be pleased win or lose" said Lane Tech Head Coach Leroy Jarka before the game.

His players responded tremendously as Lane trounced Foreman in every phase of the game. This was probably Lane's best and most complete game of the year. Here are just some of the highlights:

• Lane Tech center Lalo Bellamy had a monster game defensively with at least 7 blocks.

• Shelton Jackson had an excellent overall game leading Lane with 25 points including a "highlight film" block of a Foreman player during a Foreman fast break. Lalo palmed the whole ball during the block.

• Lane point guard John Holzman, who is normally not a scorer scored 8 points.

• Lane stayed aggressive and did not stall the ball despite having a big lead in the second half. Their aggressiveness paid off as Lane scored on numerous fast break points.

• Offensively Foreman could not get anything going inside or outside the whole game. Outside their shooting percentage was poor and inside Bellamy would either block a shot or a Lane player would strip the ball for a turnover.

However, Lane can not rest on it's laurels too long. Lane plays top seeded Loyola Academy this Friday, March 2, 2007, 7:30pm at Loyola Academy. Loyola has been a top 5 ranked team in the state all year and feature Jeffrey and Marcus Jordan, the sons of Michael Jordan.  This will be Lane's biggest basketball game in years. Be there or be Square!!!!

John Holzman ( 8 points) and Lalo Bellamy (6-7 blocked shots) each had monster games to help Lane defeat Foreman in one of the teams most complete efforts of the year. www.LanetechFan.com photo