Dundee-Crown knocks out Larkin in 2 OTs

Dundee-Crown refused to lose.

Scoring the final 9 points of regulation, the resilient fifth-seeded Chargers outscored fourth-seeded Larkin 12-7 in the second overtime to post a 61-56 victory in a first-round game of the Class 4A Barrington regional Monday night.

"I would compare this team to a heavyweight fighter," said D-C coach Lance Huber. "They got battered and bruised all season, but they keep getting up. It is a resilient bunch."

The Chargers (5-21) play top-seeded and host Barrington in a semifinal game today at 7:30 p.m.

Thanks to senior Sean Bernhard, the Chargers live to see another day.

Trailing 39-36 with 4.6 seconds left, Bernhard, guarded heavily by two Larkin defenders, canned a long 3-pointer from deep in the left corner that sent the game into overtime.

"The play was set up for me to take the shot," said Bernhard. "Larkin did a great job of guarding me, but I was able to get free and got a good shot at the basket. It felt very good when it left my hands. This team has battled all season and never given up."

In the first overtime, D-C seized control when freshman Dylan Kissack calmly sank 2 free throws with 2:18 left to give D-C a 45-41 lead.

But the Royals (1-26) tied the game at 49 when Garrett McDaniel scored on a putback with 12 seconds left to send the game into a second OT.

In the second overtime, the Chargers took a 58-53 lead when Ryan Smith made 2 free throws with 21 seconds left.

Larkin's Ryan Smith made a 3-pointer with 15 seconds remaining to make the score 58-56.

But the Chargers sealed the win in the final 13 seconds when Kevin Cronin made 2 free throws and Smith made 1-of-2.

Cronin led the Chargers with a career-high 19 points.

"It was Kevin's best game of his career by far," said Huber. "He scored some big baskets and played well defensively."

Ryan Smith added 18 for the Chargers while Bernhard scored 10.

Simonini and Ryan Smith led Larkin with 18 apiece. All of Smith's points came on 3-pointers. McDaniel added 10 points 12 rebounds.

"These seniors have been through so much this season," said Larkin interim coach Steve Knapp. "If I were in their shoes I don't know if I could go out and play every game. They are a tough group of kids. We had a good chance to win the game in regulation, we just had too many turnovers and didn't take care of the ball."