Plano stuns Kaneland in final seconds

Plano hadn't led in the second half of Friday's Interstate Eight Conference game against Kaneland and time was running out.

Reapers junior Stanley Smith hadn't scored and was undoubtedly only in the game because three Plano starters had fouled out.

It was his big moment.

Smith's driving layup tied the game with 6.4 seconds left. He had a chance to give the Reapers the lead on his ensuing free throw since he was fouled on the play, but he missed it. Griffin Cross was there for the rebound, missed his putback, but got another chance and was fouled.

Cross then sank his two free throws with 2.9 seconds left and Kaneand's desperation heave from Will Cushman fell well short as time expired as Plano stunned Kaneland, 63-61.

"Usually we play a lot better than this," Cross said. "I felt I was asleep most of the time. Half our team was asleep most of the game, but I felt we were going to eventually pull through and get the lead. I didn't feel any pressure so when it was time to score we just had to execute."

Plano (19-9, 8-3) was hoping to get a 3-point look for Mason Accidentale to shoot for the game-winner. The Knights had done a nice job containing Accidentale until the fourth quarter when the sophomore drilled three big 3-pointers, including one with 52 seconds left that pulled the Reapers to within 59-54.

"We're so far into the season that even being a sophomore now it seems like people really know who (Accidentale) is," Plano coach Kyle Kee said. "Kaneland was getting after us and getting after him and he was getting frustrated. That's why he got the one (technical foul) the one time."

As the Knights stuck to Accidentale, Smith literally took matters into his own hands, attacked the basket and banked in his shot.

"The play was for Mason to come around and get a three, which would've been big, but they took that away," Smith said. "There wasn't much I could do at that point so you've got to create a shot and that's what I did. I found a way to the basket and made the layup."

Smith's teammates weren't surprised to see him play hero.

"That man right there, that is my man," Cross said. "I think a lot of people sleep on him, but that right there is something he does in practice all the time. I was expecting that."

Kaneland (11-12, 7-4) took its biggest lead of the game at 45-35 on a Sam Gomes 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter so Plano had to battle back, and it did, scoring 28 points in the final quarter after scoring just 35 through the first three quarters.

The Reapers had already beaten Kaneland, 66-55 in a back-and-forth game on Jan. 10. This one matched that and then some with 35 turnovers, 22 missed free throws, eight players scoring in double figures, three technical fouls, at least one parent being ejected from the stands and one massive posterizing dunk from Kaneland's Jamari Meeks.

Kaneland played most of the way without starter Bryce Ebert, who injured his ankle three minutes into the game.

"I thought our guys stepped up for Bryce who is a big part of our team," Kaneland coach Ernie Colombe said. "We had so many opportunities. Missing free throws was huge and then down at the end we couldn't secure a rebound. Our effort was there, but it's always tough when you have that lead and don't close it out."

Accidentale and Cross led the Reapers with 13 points each. Brett David had 16 and points Will Cushman had 15 points for the Knights.