Boylan outlasts Geneva in 2 OTs

ROCKFORD - A long day ended on a disappointing note for Geneva's boys basketball team, but no one could question the Vikings' grit.

Anthony Foreman scored 5 straight points to open the second overtime and propel Boylan past Geneva, 68-63, in the final game of the MLK Showcase at Jefferson High School.

Monday night's thriller wasn't even Geneva's longest game of the day. Earlier, the Vikings edged the host J-Hawks, 67-63 in 3 overtimes, meaning that the Vikings played nearly the equivalent of an extra game.

"I think we were running out of gas there at the end, there is that potential," said Geneva coach Phil Ralston. "But I think if we had been able to get that first score there in overtime, things could have been different. But I thought our kids played tremendous. The Boylan team is as good as any we've seen all year, and for us to be able to go toe-to-toe with them, and I think we gave them some pretty good shots, bodes well for our boys."

Geneva, 15-5 overall, finished the tournament with a 3-1 mark.

Bennett Fuzak led the way for Geneva with 19 points and 7 rebounds. Dominic Navigato added 11 points and Jordan Vedder had 10 off the bench for the Vikings.

Foreman started the second overtime with a putback basket. Then he made a steal and breakaway layup. He was fouled on the play and made the free throw to put the Titans up 5.

Matt Johnston answered with a breakaway dunk, but Boylan's Luke McDermott added 2 free throws for the final margin.

Dominic Navigato put Geneva ahead 54-52 late in regulation, but Sam Fehrle tied it and neither team could capitalize on its final 2 possessions. Geneva took a 57-54 lead in the first overtime, but Fehrle (17 points) tied it for Boylan. Foreman stole the ball and fed Angelo Seminerio for a layup to put the Titans ahead, but Cole Navigato made 2 free throws to tie it again.

Geneva fell behind 16-9 early, but closed the first quarter on an 11-0 run to take a 4-point lead. The Vikings continued to tighten their defense after that, holding Boylan to progressively lower point totals in each quarter.

Johnston finished with 8 points for Geneva, while Cole Navigato added 7, including 5 of 6 free throws in the first overtime.