Jan. 01--Devin Gage assumed he had already cost Curie the Pontiac Holiday Tournament semifinal against Simeon on Thursday afternoon.
With Curie trailing 78-77 in the fourth quarter, Gage missed a layup with less than 30 seconds remaining and then missed back-to-back free throws with 7.1 seconds left on the following possession.
"I actually felt like I lost the game," Gage said.
To Gage's surprise, he got one more opportunity to redeem himself, and on a third and final chance, he came through. Gage hit a running 22-footer at the buzzer, lifting No. 2 Curie to an 80-78 win against No. 4 Simeon to lead the Condors to the evening's tournament championship.
"[I was thinking] I got to make the basket for my team. I know I have to make the basket for my team," said Gage, who said he had never previously attempted a game-winning shot in high school.
The last time the Wolverines weren't in the title game was 2008, and they had played for the Pontiac crown 12 of the last 13 years. Curie last reached the championship game in 2013 and won the title that year by defeating Simeon.
Gage and backcourt mate junior Elijah Joiner took turns scoring for Curie (9-1) on Thursday. The duo, which Gage touted as the state's backcourt, combined for 46 points. Gage scored 13 points in the third quarter and 21 of his 23 points in the second half. Joiner scored nine of his 23 points in the fourth quarter.
Simeon's concern heading into the game was free throws. The Wolverines (7-2) had gone 12-of-28 at the free-throw line in a quarterfinal win. Against Curie, free throws kept Simeon in the game as it made 29 of 41, but the Wolverines missed their final four free-throw attempts. Curie was 23 of 36 at the line.
Simeon senior swingman Zack Norvell scored a game-high 24 points, which included 13 points in the second half, but he fouled out with 1:36 left in the fourth quarter. Wolverines junior guard Evan Gilyard scored 22 points and was 15 of 18 from the free-throw line, and senior forward Josh Thomas contributed 18 points and seven rebounds for Simeon.
Peoria Manual 74, No. 17 Joliet West 73 (OT): Peoria Manual junior guard Da'Monte Williams scored a game-high 37 points and sank three free throws with 1.2 seconds remaining in overtime to knock off Joliet West (9-2) in the other semifinal.
Joliet West was leading 73-71 when junior forward Elijah Ward was whistled for a foul while Williams attempted a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Joliet West coach Nick DiForti disagreed with the call, as well as a few others in the game. Peoria Manual entered the bonus in the third quarter, while the Tigers never got into it in the second half.
"[Williams] deserved all of his 34 points, I'd say," DiForti said. "You leave it into the hands of the officials. It's kind of like a prize fight. You never know what you're going to get."
Joliet West junior forward Trevian Bell had a team-high 24 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Junior guard Teyvion Kirk contributed 14 points, and Ward had nine points and nine rebounds.
Scott Powers is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Player of the game: Devin Gage, Curie, 23 points, four rebounds, four assists.
Key performers: Curie -- Elijah Joiner, 23 points, six rebounds, three 3-pointers; Terry Smith Jr., 11 points. Simeon -- Zack Norvell, 24 points, three 3-pointers; Evan Gilyard, 22 points; John Thomas, 18 points, seven rebounds.
