Boys Basketball: Seton has response for Providence
By Dan Ruane For Sun-Times Media January 13, 2012 11:18PM
Providence's Joe Batis dives for a loose ball against Seton's Mark Weems. | Michael DiNovo~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 16, 2012 8:21AM
For three quarters, Providence had the perfect game plan for Seton. The Celtics continually beat the Sting’s press and had control of the game.
That all changed in the fourth quarter. No. 7 Seton made the adjustments that erased a double-digit lead to come away with a 62-56 Catholic League South victory in New Lenox on Friday night.
“(Kevin) Kozan is just as good as any point guard that we’ve played against this year,’’ Seton coach Brandon Thomas said. “Give them all the credit. They were prepared for our pressure. We made the adjustment at the end.’’
Kozan was weaving his way through the Sting defense for three quarters and finding open people on the other end of the court. The Celtics led 47-37 with one minute left in the third quarter. It was the third time the Celtics held a 10-point lead in the quarter.
Seton (15-2, 5-0) adjusted its pressure to keep the Celtics in front of the defenders and the dividends were immediate on both ends of the court. The Sting went on a 17-6 run to start the fourth quarter and take the lead for good at 56-53.
Kamal Shasi connected on back-to-back treys to give the Sting the lead.
“Kamal has been doing that for two years for us,’’ Thomas said. “We expect him to make those. If he has an open shot, I want him to take it and don’t hesitate for a second.’’
Shasi finished with 16 points, including four three-pointers. He also played a key role in the Sting’s fourth-quarter defense that forced Providence into 20 percent shooting and six turnovers. On the other end, the Sting overcame its own shooting woes to connect on 55 percent of its baskets in the decisive quarter.
Providence’s big three all finished in double figures. Kozan had 16 points, Brian Oddo finished with 17 and Mike Marietti had 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Seton’s Mark Weems Jr. sat out much of the first half with foul trouble but came back to score 12 of his 17 points in the second half.
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