Warren survives tense semifinal

PONTIAC — The first two nights for the Warren boys basketball team at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament were comedies.

But Thursday's semifinal against Plainfield North was on the verge of becoming a horror.

With Warren up by 2 points two in the closing seconds, Plainfield North's Jack Krieger, who had already scored 30 points, shot a 3-pointer that was off the mark. Warren secured the rebound, and JoVaughn Gaines sank 2 free throws as the Blue Devils held off the pesky Tigers 61-57.

Gaines was 6 of 6 from the line in the last three minutes.

“This game was better for us,” said Warren coach Chuck Ramsey, whose team advanced to Thursday night's final against Simeon. “It's nice to have the easy wins, but more often than not, you are going to play close games.”

Every time Warren built a lead, the Tigers clawed back. But when Warren needed him the most, Gaines delivered.

The junior guard finished with a career-high 21 points.

“JoVaughn had an excellent effort this afternoon,” Ramsey said. “He was there when we needed him.”

Warren got a scare when Gaines went to the locker room midway through the third quarter after rolling his ankle.

With Warren down 23-19 with 4:45 left in the first half, Gaines had taken charge. He scored 6 points during a 12-4 run that ended with a Jameris Smith 3-pointer just before the half.

“This game had a lot of twists and turns,” Ramsey said. “We left it all on the court.”

Warren faced a tough task trying to contain Krieger, who made the all-tournament team.

“There was nothing we could do to stop him,” Ramsey said. “We knew what we were up against.”

A mixture of Jeremiah Jackson (4 points, 8 rebounds), Kendall Harris and Darius Paul (10 points, 8 rebounds) could not contain Krieger.

With the Tigers within four midway through the fourth, Gaines hit a big 3 from the right wing.

“He has only had two 3-pointers this season,” Ramsey said. “He shoots them well in practice. He just doesn't choose to shoot them in games as often.”

Nathan Boothe added 10 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks for the Blue Devils.