Carmel sticks with it, gets past Vernon Hills
The game could have gone one of two ways for Carmel. Either it was going to be another tough, close and heartbreaking loss for the Corsairs, or a thrilling comeback win.
With 5:01 remaining in the third quarter, Carmel senior Doug Meyer was whistled for a flagrant foul and was subsequently ejected from the Corsairs' consolation bracket contest with Vernon Hills at the 33rd annual Wheeling Hardwood Classic.
Already trailing 37-33, the game could have very easily tumbled out of control for Carmel. But senior guard Tim Hendricks had other ideas.
"Our coach just called us together and told us to not give in and not give up,' Hendricks said.
Instead of falling farther behind, Carmel caught fire. The Corsairs scored the last 10 points of the third period and never let go of the lead again as they stunned Vernon Hills 65-55 handing the Cougars their second loss in as many days.
Carmel will play in the consolation bracket semifinals against Maine West, a 57-45 winner over Streamwood, at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Vernon Hills faces Streamwood Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.
"I just told the kids not to let the frustrations of another close game, or a call or even a play, take away from their effort on the court," said Carmel coach Tim Bowen.
Vernon Hills initially took advantage of the Carmel misfortune and took a 42-34 lead on long bucket by Chris Argianas. Junior Darren Hoveydai and Argianas both scored 19 points to lead the Cougars.
Vernon Hills did welcome back senior DaVaris Daniels, but the travel-weary Notre Dame-bound Daniels had 8 points before fouling out.
The bucket from Argianas would be the last for Vernon Hills (10-2) over the next eight-plus minutes as the Corsairs outscore Vernon Hills 17-2 during that stretch.
"Give Carmel credit because they did an excellent job on defense slowing us down and not letting us get any looks at all," said Vernon Hills coach Matt McCarty. "We got sluggish and sloppy offensively and couldn't catch up."
Carmel (4-9) rattled off the final 10 points of the third quarter to take the lead for good. A steal and layup by Hendricks with 29 seconds left in the third quarter was the go-ahead bucket.
Hendricks carried the Carmel offense in the second half, scoring 12 of his game-best 23 points after halftime. But the biggest bucket of the day for Hendricks and Carmel came midway through the final quarter.
Seeing a once comfortable lead trimmed to 54-49 with 2:56 left, Hendricks drilled two pull-up jumpers in the lane to help seal the win for Carmel.
"I just tried my best to get open and take the shot," Hendricks said. "I knew we needed a bucket and I wanted to help my team out."
Hendricks got help up front from junior Brandon Motzl. The Corsair big-man dumped in 16 points to go with 8 rebounds to help the Corsairs control the paint. Before being ejected, Meyer chipped in with 10 points; he will miss today's game due to the ejection.