Will Cook County News

On February 23rd, at the Palos Hills Regional, the #9 Stagg Chargers (20-11, 5-3) fought the #1 Homewood-Flossmoor Vikings (27-4, 7-1). The last time these two teams faced each other was on January 16th which HF won 67-51.

Written by Claude Martinez.

It was a close one at the Palos Regional where Homewood-Flossmoor and Stagg matched up. Both teams knew who the shooters where and they were going to attempt to shut them down.

Starting off the game with a three was Bryce Heard. Then Stagg came back putting six unanswered points on the board. Carson Brownfield went into the paint for two. The first was a close one. At the end both teams hit beyond the arch. At 1:30, Heard added his. With one second on the clock, Chris Bogun knotted the game from the logo making it 12-12.

In the second, 6:33, Heard fell backwards but his three pointer hit nothing but net. Gianni Cobb was fouled and went 100% on his two shots but those would be his only points in the first half. Keeping the Chargers in the game was David Ortiz with a three at 3:25. With less than two minutes left Jayden Tyler made it a two score game for HF. Then they began to pullout.

At the half, 31 HF to 24 Stagg. (HF: Heard 19p, Tyler 5p and Cobb 2). (Stagg: Ortiz 9p and Narcevicius 6p).

Midway in the third, Ortiz and Narcevicius shot the lights out with threes changing the lead..

Starting the fourth, HF was only up by one. HF 43, Stagg 42.

To say that the game was close was an understatement. It was back and fourth the whole period. Points were scored from everyone, on both teams, so the hundreds of spectators never knew who was going to hit next. A total of 34 points came to follow. With only 23 seconds left, Stagg pulled their starters and the Homewood-Flossmoor Vikings won the 4a Palos Regional 62 to 56.

Heard 23p & 7r, Brownfield 20p & 6r, Tyler 14p and Cobb 9p (VIA: X: @HFVikingHoops).

Head Coach Jamere Dismukes said “No doubt that was a big time game. They (Stagg) shot the ball well. They had a huge crowd and a great environment so for us to pull up a win out here…, under these circumstances, that is a big time win for our guys.”

Bryce Heard, guard, earned a majority of his points in the first half. “I hit a couple of shots early and I started making some tough shots.”

Heard then spoke about Carson Brownfield and Jayden Tyler. “They just wanted to win. They were the only two hitting free throws.” “He (Tyler) was the sparkplug for us tonight and he gave us energy going into the fourth quarter.”

Jayden Tyler, guard, saw that Cobb was getting pressured all night and knew he had to step up for him. “I seen my brother down. It’s my job to do whatever I can to help us win. I know what he can do. He usually helps us win but when my brother is down I can pick him back up.”

Finally, Carson Brownfield talked about Heard and Tyler. “They definitely step up as teammates.” “We were making that extra pass making sure we were feeding our guys. Whoever was the hot hand, at the time, we made sure we played together.”

#1 Homewood-Flossmoor will play #5 Joliet West on Tuesday February 27 at the Rich Township Sectional.

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Special thank you to athletic director Jenifer Doede (Stagg) and head coaches Jamere Dismukes (HF) and Marty Struns (Stagg).

LIVE UPDATES: FINAL by HF 64, Stagg 56. (Updated 9:55 pm)

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