Platania, Lions ease their pain

Jim Platania seemed destined for a senior year at St. Viator bookended with disappointment.

Sprained ligaments in Platania's left ankle sidelined him for the first 7 games of the boys basketball season. Viator staggered into the postseason with losses in 5 straight games and seven of its last eight.

But the 6-foot-2 Platania and his teammates found a nice way to ease their pain and frustration. The 13th-seeded Lions (11-16) are playing No. 5 Loyola (19-9) for the Class 4A Glenbrook North regional title at 7:30 p.m. today in Northbrook.

"I was so happy I could get out there and play and not sit on the sidelines anymore," Platania said. "To play in some fun games has been a blessing. It was awesome to get out on the court."

Especially in a memorable 67-65 double-overtime upset of No. 4 Glenbrook North (19-6) on Tuesday night.

Platania had 14 points and hit all 10 of his free throws. Senior Eric Huber hit a tying 3 at the end of regulation and senior Mike Landuyt ended it by banking in a long jumper in the final seconds of the second overtime.

And sophomore point guard Alan Aboona scored 15 points to send Glenbrook North to its earliest postseason exit since 2002 -- when Jon Scheyer was in eighth grade -- and only its second home loss in 54 games.

"We really came out with the right mentality," said Platania, who is averaging 9.8 points a game overall and 12.7 in hitting double figures in 12 of his last 13 games. "We played all four quarters and both overtimes as hard as we could.

"It was so exciting to be out there to get the win. We had come so close so many times."

Especially in consecutive games two weeks ago. The Lions had a 6-point lead with two minutes left in regulation before losing in overtime to Mid-Suburban East co-champion Prospect.

Then they led East Suburban Catholic Conference champion St. Joseph by 10 points before collapsing in the final four minutes.

"Without a doubt, even though we were losing those games, it was a huge confidence boost," Platania said. "Right then and there we said we could play with anyone."

The Lions got a needed boost to their psyches by beating Leyden by 20 points Monday. Now they get a shot at just their third regional title and first since 2001.

Landuyt, the Lions' defensive stopper, and his teammates will have to contain Penn-bound Rob Belcore, who scored 38 points Wednesday against Glenbrook South.

Platania is thrilled to have a shot at going to Evanston for the sectional semifinals after injuring his ankle in June and re-injuring it during tryouts.

"It was a tough time and I was really worried if it would ever be back to normal," said Platania, who still battles tendinitis. "I was getting down on myself but my teammates and family picked me up.

"Things ended up working out for me and now we're seeing things working out for the team."