Paul produces as Warren edges Downers South
A number of things could have gone through the mind of Warren senior Darius Paul at the 15th annual National Guard High School Hoops Showdown at the Sears Centre against Downers Grove South on Saturday night.
With the game tied in overtime and no time left on the clock, Paul was fouled attempting a putback as time expired. Considering how the Blue Devils had shot free throws this night, the line may have been the last place Paul wanted to be. But the Western Michigan-bound senior had it all in perspective.
“You just block out all the noise and I knew I had to make just one,” Paul said. “I knew I needed to make the first one because I didn’t want to have to make the second to win the game.”
Paul did just that. As part of his 26-point, 11-rebound effort, he calmly sank the first free throw and gave Warren a heart-stopping 64-63 overtime win over the Mustangs.
“I was confident (Paul) would hit it,” said Warren coach Chuck Ramsey. “He is a confident player and a relaxed player and he has made many, many big shots in his time at Warren so I am not surprised when he makes one.”
South forced the extra session after battling back in the second half. The Mustangs trailed by as many as 9 points in the second half before a furious rally in the fourth quarter brought them even.
After a bucket by Nathan Boothe (8 points) put Warren up 55-49 with 1:49 to go, the rally by the Mustangs went into full swing. A pair of free throws from Kevin Honn and a long 3-pointer from Jordan Cannon brought South within 55-54 with 1:07 left.
“Kevin is a three-year varsity player, two-year starter, and he’s going to play in college somewhere,” South coach Jay Baum said. “He doesn’t get the publicity of the others, but he is the glue of this team.”
Honn wasn’t done yet. As time wound down and with South (13-4) trailing by 3, Honn stepped up and drained the biggest shot of the night for the Mustangs. His long 3-pointer at the top of the key with 15 seconds left forced the extra session.
“He can beat you inside or outside,” Baum said. “I’m proud of him and the whole team.”
Honn shared team-high scoring honors with Jerron Wilbut at 20 points; each had a bucket in the extra session.
South took the lead in the overtime on Honn’s basket but Warren (13-2) answered quickly with one of its own on a running layup by Jameris Smith (9 points) with 1:18 left in the extra session.
“The plays that Jameris made tonight with him being sick were a big part of the game for us,” Ramsey said. “He drew a couple charges and then his basket was big.”
JoVaughn Gaines, whose steal set up the winning play for Warren, chipped in 14 points for the Devils.
Jamall Milliston added 12 points for the Mustangs.