Johnson’s FT’s Give Seahawks OT Win

The Stephen Decatur boys basketball team fought their way to the 3A East Regional Championship game by gutting out a 70-68 overtime win vs. Hammond. The Seahawks will now host Centennial on Friday.

The Golden Bears came out of the gate on fire from beyond the arc. They would connect on 4 three pointers, led by Brandon Willis. Finally, the Seahawks would grab some control of the tempo of the game by going to a press. They forced several turnovers which lead to easy buckets by Torrey Brittingham and Keve Aluma. The big man was doing work on the block, grabbing rebounds and coming up with huge blocks defensively. Decatur would find themselves with a small lead at the break, but watch as Hammond would fight their way back in the second half. Decatur would find themselves down 2 late before Brittingham would get fouled and head to the line. The senior would calmly step to the stripe and put both of them in to tie the game. Then down 2, Brittingham would connect on a floater with 10 seconds left to force overtime. There, he would get called for his 5th personal foul early on, putting the pressure on his teammates.

And they would respond.

Kevon Voyles would take over at point and lead the show. He would help guide the Seahawks to being tied with 30 seconds left. Hammond would look to hold for the last shot and get one up with under 10 seconds to play, but it would be off the mark. JaQuan Johnson would get the rebound and be fouled, sending him to the line for a pair. He would connect on both to give the home team a 2 point lead with 7 seconds to play. Hammond would have an opportunity to tie or take the lead but couldn’t convert, giving Decatur the win, and sending them onto the next round.