Geneva's last-ditch effort comes up short
After trailing for almost the entire game, Geneva still had life in the waning seconds. But it was not meant to be for the Vikings repeating as champions of the 82nd Annual Chuck Dayton Holiday Basketball Tournament in DeKalb on Wednesday night.
Pitted against Rockford Jefferson in the second semifinal, Geneva had four chances to take the lead or force overtime in the last half-minute. But three turnovers and a missed 3-pointer enabled the J-Hawks to escape with a 42-39 victory.
Geneva (10-3) will face Chicago Vocational, which host DeKalb defeated 52-50 in the first semifinal, for third-place Saturday evening.
Geneva coach Phil Ralston did not wish to discuss the close of the game, and he also lamented the J-Hawks' rebounding advantage, especially on the Vikings' defensive glass, as a wider issue.
"I'm more concerned with the other 31 minutes," Ralston said. "We just got absolutely annihilated on the boards."
Geneva suffered mightily from the field all game, finishing at 29 percent (15-52). Scott Wendt forged the only tie of the game, at 14-14, midway through the second quarter as the first quarter was flavored by lead changes on seven consecutive field goals.Jefferson (11-2) scored on Mario Manns' second-chance bucket at the halftime buzzer to take a 21-18 lead into the intermission.
Jefferson, with explosive quickness and leaping ability aplenty, extended its cushion, taking the largest lead of the night at 31-24 midway through the third quarter. But Will Doeckel spearheaded the Geneva attack in the second half, scoring 9 of his 11 points after the break. Wendt had a tip-in to bring Geneva to within 33-29 at the close of the third, and Geneva dodged several Jefferson close-range shots in the fourth.
Alex Frederking had his lone deuce on a fast break with 42 seconds to play, and Nolan Block brought Geneva to within 40-39 with a 3-pointer 17 seconds later.
Geneva stole the ensuing inbounds pass at the timeline, only to see Jefferson swipe another pass. But Frederking had yet a third theft in succession and called timout in a prone position with 11.9 seconds to play.
But Geneva threw the ball away again and was forced to foul Jemarkus Lovett, who hit two free throws with 5.9 seconds to play. Block then raced the length of the court, but his 3-pointer at the buzzer was well short.
"Geneva is an awfully good team," said Jefferson coach Todd Brannan said. "They're probably the best team we've played this year. I was proud of the kids for coming back."
Brandon Beitzel led all scorers with 12 points for Geneva.