Sports
Sluggish Third Quarter Costly for Astros
Shepard's boys basketball team falters in the face of Rich East's third-quarter pressure.
At halftime of Shepard's matchup with Rich East on Tuesday night, all seemed under control for the Astros.
But Rich East's pressure defense in the third quarter rattled Shepard, and the host Rockets went on to claim a 57-53 victory in Park Forest.
"The third quarter, without a doubt, we opened without an energy level," Shepard coach Tony Chiuccariello said. "We got out of rhythm."
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The Astros (2-7) had also dug themselves a hole in the first half, falling behind 20-13 when Rich East forward Ronald Lawton buried a jumper from the free-throw line at the first quarter buzzer.
Shepard, however, was able to recover from the deficit. Trailing 24-18, the Astros went on a 9-2 run to take a 27-26 lead into halftime. Astros guard Matt Hoge scored five points during the run, including a 3-pointer.
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The Astros used Rich East's pressure defense against the Rockets (3-1) during their spurt to end the half, when Shepard guard Martece Weatherspoon hit a 3-pointer that was set up by crisp passing out of a halfcourt trap.
But Rich East's pressure brought different results in the third quarter.
"Except for the third quarter, we were fine (handling pressure)," Chiuccariello said.
In the third, Rich East didn't allow a Shepard field goal until 1:56 to play. Rich East junior guard Raheem Jackson highlighted the quarter for the Rockets with a steal and layup that gave his team a 35-28 lead.
"We started rebounding the ball a lot better (in the third quarter)," Rich East coach George Leonard said. "That changed our look."
The Rockets' largest second-half lead was 12, when they were up 43-31. Shepard battled back, however.
"Tony (Chiuccariello) does a phenomenal job with Shepard," Leonard said. "And they were ready for us. He had a great game plan."
Shepard guard Kevin Rathbun had a steal and a layup to make the score 45-41, and the Astros even pulled within two points, at 45-43. However, Jackson and Lawton each hit a pair of free throws for Rich East to make the score 49-43, and the Rockets never gave up the lead.
Jackson finished with 15 points for Rich East, while Lawton had 17.
Shepard forward Jarrett Foster led the Astros with 13 points, while Hoge and Rathbun each had 12.
