Lane put its six-game winning-streak on the line Monday Jan. 29 against Simeon in the second-round of the Windy City Playoffs. But after blowing an 11-point halftime lead, the Indians will enter the state playoffs with a one-game losing streak.

Host Lane raced out to a 13-point first quarter lead, and led by 11-points at halftime. But the Indians went cold in the second half and Simeon took advantage for a 46-42 win.

"We blew this game," Lane coach Frank Zepf said. "We came out in the third quarter and missed layups and turned the ball over. They got a couple of calls and all of a sudden we were losing. We didn't play for four quarters."

It is the second time Lane has lost to Simeon this season.

"We were at home and we shouldn't have lost," Zepf said. "I know it sounds stupid because we lost, but I think we played like the better team. We had control of the game and we let it slip away. Now the kids are bummed out, I'm bummed out and all we can do is wait."

The Indians will have a week to practice before the first round of the state playoffs. Lane, who earned the sixth seed in the Niles North Sectional, will play Gordon Tech, the 11th seed, Wednesday, February 14 at Evanston.

"We had a six-game winning streak and losing doesn't help the momentum going into the playoffs," Zepf said. "But I'm glad that we're playing Gordon in the first round because it's a rivalry game. We'll have no trouble getting up for this game. I'm glad it's a game that matters."

If Lane defeats Gordon the Indians will play host Evanston in the second round.

"We got hammered by Evanston earlier in the year," Zepf said. "I would hope getting another chance to play Evanston would be motivation for the Gordon game. But we can't look past Gordon. They've been hot lately."

 

Frank Zepf, Lane Tech girls varsity basketball head coach, has his team playing Gordon Tech on February 14th in the state playoffs. www.LanetechFan.com photo