Will Cook County News

By Claude Martinez.

Oak Forest — Victor J. Andrew and Oak Forest faced off on February 2, with both the Thunderbolts and the Bengals going neck and neck throughout the contest.

The first quarter was a relatively textbook display of basketball, featuring few fouls, strong rebounding, and solid scoring from both teams.

In the second quarter, the Thunderbolts worked Ryan Dinnon and Justin Freeman to apply added pressure.

At halftime, Andrew held a narrow 29–27 lead.

The third quarter saw more of the same, with great basketball play and all players giving full effort, leaving the score at 36–34.

In the fourth quarter, however, the momentum shifted. Shots for both teams stopped falling, and it took some time for someone to step up.

That moment came when Gary Manso of Oak Forest drained two three-pointers to tie the game at 41–41 near the 5:15 mark.

After a drive by both teams, Neiko Leflore of Oak Forest picked the pocket of the ball handler and laid it in for the lead, helping secure the eventual win.

FINAL: Oak Forest 58, Victor J. Andrew 48.

For Andrew, junior Ryan Dinnon finished the game with 16 points.

Oak Forest was led by junior point guard Neiko Leflore with 15 points and senior guard Gary Manso with 14.

Both Bengals were named WCCN Players of the Game.

WCCN spoke with Manso and Leflore.

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