Boys Basketball: Providence crushes Plano
By Tina Akouris takouris@suntimes.com March 1, 2013 9:28PM
Providence's Tom O'Halloran (22) puts a shot up against Plano's Luke Romano (22) and Cody Dryden (34) during Friday's regional game. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: April 4, 2013 6:27AM
Providence made history in its 74-39 victory over Plano in the Class 3A Lincoln-Way West Regional championship game Friday in New Lenox.
It was the first time the Celtics won back-to-back regional championships since the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons.
And for a school that is known for its football program, the regional title means everything.
“It’s huge for the program and our school, just all around,” Celtics coach Tim Trendel said. “We have a great athletic tradition: baseball, football and wrestling have done well. We’ve caught people’s eyes and it’s been one of those things that this is a boost of life for our program.”
Providence’s 6-foot-5 sophomore forward Miles Boykin is also a highly regarded wide receiver on the football team. He understands the impact the regional championship will have on the program.
“It means everything,” Boykin said. “We are starting to put Providence on the map.”
Providence (15-13) went up by 15 early in the third quarter. The Celtics’ lead grew to 22 with three minutes to play in the third quarter.
Trendel pulled most of his starters by the beginning of the fourth quarter, including top offensive threats Kevin Kozan (11 points) and Boykin (11 points, 7 blocks). Nick Dinardi led the Celtics with 12 points.
Boykin and Kozan, who have carried much of the scoring and defensive loads this season, were more than confident when the bench came in.
“From the bench, they scored and never let up and that’s how the whole season went,” Kozan said. “They played great in the fourth quarter.”
The Reapers couldn’t keep up with the Celtics offense and were outscored 25-7 in the third quarter and 21-12 in the fourth.
Plano (21-10) was led by Collin Seyller with 12 points.
