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Sports

Analysis: Shepard Presses the Issue in Win over Lincoln-Way North

Astros use tough defesne to fuel their second-half comeback win over the Phoenix on Monday night in play at the Class 4A Lincoln-Way North Regional.

OK, let's just say it.

The Shepard boys basketball team did everything it could to dig itself a deep hole in the first half of its 51-40 victory over Lincoln-Way North in play on Monday night at the Class 4A Lincoln-Way North Regional.

The Astros shot an ice-cold 4-of-27 from the field, 2-of-10 from behind the three-point line and were 1-of-8 from the free-throw line. Throw in the face they also were outrebounded 29-19. And it's a small wonder they trailed only by 16-11 at half.

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Fortunately for the Astros, even though their offense was in a funk half, their defense was up to the task. Shepard dug in and used a physical man-to-man to make every trip down the floor for the Phoenix a struggle to even get a shot.

Shepard (13-14) still trailed early in the fourth quarter 29-28. Then, with 7:05 remaining,  Kevin Rayburn nailed a three-pointer to give the Astros their first lead since the first quarter 31-29.

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The game was still close with 3:05 left and Shepard clinging to a 40-38 lead. The Astros' defense came to the forefront again as they got a steal from Dontae McCoy. The steal led to an easy basket on the other end from Jarrett Foster that fueled an 11 -0 run for Shepard. The Astros pulled out to a 51-38 lead.

Foster finished with 13 points. Lincoln-Way North (10-18) would not score again until the buzzer sounded on a Jake Harper (18 points) dunk, but the damage was done and Shepard ended the Phoenix's season.

“I though our press was our best offense as we seemed to wear them down in the fourth quarter and get some turnovers that led to easy baskets” Shepard coach Tony Chiuccariello said.

The Astros forced 22 Phoenix turnovers, including 15 in the second half.

Good News For Shepard: The Astros advance to a 7:30 p.m. Tuesday game back at Lincoln-Way North.

The Bad News: The Astros' opponent is state-ranked and top-seed Thornton.

Unsung Heroes: Shepard got a huge night off the bench from Dontae McCoy, who scored 10 points. He also chipped in six rebounds and three steals. Dionte Hart also added seven points ( 5 in the fourth quarter) and four rebounds.

Hot Links: Miss something? Read: "Astros 'D' Up in Win over L-Way North" http://patch.com/A-f1rT 

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