Unbeaten Geneva survives St. Charles North in double OT
Something had to give when Geneva and St. Charles North - both unbeaten in the Upstate Eight River - met Friday, and it sure wasn't Dom Navigato and the Vikings.
Even after St. Charles North kept staying alive in improbable fashion, Geneva found a way to keep its undefeated season going.
The North Stars' Kyle King scored late in regulation to force overtime, then Anthony Delisi drilled a contested 3 with just 3.5 seconds left in overtime to force a second OT.
That's when the Vikings were finally able to put the North Stars away, thanks to a putback basket by Dom Navigato, 6 straight free throws from Cole Navigato, and a couple key stops on the defensive end for a 67-62 win.
"A lot of tense moments in that game and a good thing we pulled out the W," Dom Navigato said. "We held it together. Staying undefeated is really awesome."
No. 5 Geneva (14-0, 4-0) is one win away from matching the 1958-59 team for best start in school history. The Vikings also took a one-game lead in conference over No. 6 St. Charles North (11-3, 3-1).
"I told the boys they were gladiators tonight," Geneva coach Phil Ralston said.
The Vikings led for most of the game, and when Cole Navigato drove for a basket to put Geneva up 45-38 with five minutes left, they looked like they were about to shake North for good.
After a Nathan Bruns free throw, Brendan Dal Degan's 3-point shot brought the North Stars within 45-42.
Normally Geneva puts teams away at the foul line, but the Vikings split free throws twice and missed the front end of a 1-and-1 in the final 3:05. That allowed the North Stars to pull even on a Kyle King basket, Luke Scheffers' 3, and then King again inside with :26 left for a 49-49 tie. Geneva sophomore Jack McDonald misfired at the buzzer.
Geneva again pulled ahead in overtime when McDonald scored on a breakaway layup off Matthew Johnston's steal and pass ahead. But the Vikings again missed two free throws, and Delisi tied the game at 55-55 with his 3 with just :3.5 left.
The Vikings threw long and there was a collision trying to catch the pass with several players crashing to the floor, but no foul was called and the game went to a second overtime.
"Delisi hit a really tough 3," Ralston said. "I'm not sure Matthew could have played better defense. You tip your hat."
Dom Navigato's rebound bucket put the Vikings up 59-57, their only field goal in the second overtime. Johnston made a key block with the North Stars trying to cut into a 63-60 lead in the final minute after Dom Navigato also came up with strong inside play on King earlier in overtime.
"I made sure to keep my hands straight up," Dom Navigato said. "They were good defensive stops at the end."
"When King catches it deep he's so tough to stop," Ralston said. "I think Dom did a tremendous job on him. It's good that our kids closed the game."
While his teammates were uncharacteristically missing at the line, Cole Navigato went 10 for 10 to finish with 22 points and 9 rebounds. McDonald scored 15, Dom Navigato had 10 points, 10 rebounds, and Johnston also scored 10.
Delisi and King both came off the bench after coming late to a team meeting during the week. Delisi finished with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals, King scored 11 and Scheffers 10.
"The kids battled down the stretch and executed down the stretch," North Stars coach Tom Poulin said. "Geneva played a really good game from start to finish. We didn't have the best week of preparation. We didn't have the week (of practice) you need to beat somebody like Geneva."