On January 21st, 2017, the Morton Lady Potters defeated the Peoria Central Lions at the Martin Luther King tournament in Galesburg 54-53. That game was generally categorized by many as a bloodbath, due to the physical nature of the game and the aggressive intensity applied by the Peoria Lions. Scratches, scrapes, bruises and sprains were abundant in the aftermath of that game. Another by-product of that game was that the Lady Potters were given a chance to exercise their mental toughness against unrelenting pressure and against an opponent that is determined to exert it’s will and physical presence upon it’s opponent. The Potters escaped with victory that day, but it certainly left an impression.
Flash forward 27 days (7 games) later to February 17th, 2017 and the Lady Potters found themselves with the opportunity to advance to their 3rd consecutive Sectional Semi-Final game (11th in the last 13 years) by winning their Regional Championship game. Standing in their way were the same ferocious Central Lions, but this time the game would be played in the Lions Den (Regional was hosted by Peoria Central). The IHSA assignment committee must have a strange sense of humor, or a dark side, depending on how you look at it.
Peoria Central (Peoria High School) was established in 1856 and is accredited, for better or for worse, as the oldest continually operating public high school west of the Allegheny Mountains. In other words, it is a really old school and with that has as much basketball tradition as any school in the State of Illinois. The storied gymnasium (Lion’s Den) has seen many great games and athletes throughout it’s history and 5 State Championship basketball banners hang from the walls. Many great players like A.J. Guyton, Chris Reynolds, Shawn Livingston, Tony Wysinger, Curley Boo Johnson, D.J. Richardson (to name just a few) refined their games in this gymnasium. Famous alumni also include U.S. Congressman Robert Michael (1923-2017), 2006 Olympic figure skater Matt Savoie, NBA commentator Ralph Lawler of the Los Angeles Clippers, and Harry Frazee (1880-1929), who was the owner of the Boston Red Sox that sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees.
The Lions Den is not necessarily the ideal place to be assigned to win a Regional Championship. As a Peoria High alumni myself, I can tell you, it can be an intimidating environment. Particularly when you are facing a very good and very proud Lions team. To the Lady Potters though, this was just another gym with another opponent. An opponent that they respected, but an opponent that they were familiar with and knew, if they followed the game plan and played focused with determination, that they could beat. That is just what the Lady Potters did. They were there to make a little history of their own in the Lions Den.
The game started with Peoria Central jumping out fast by hitting a 3 and forcing a turnover for a layup to take a quick lead 5-0. I think at that point, many teams would panic in this kind of pressure packed moment. Not the Potters. They methodically took control of the game and relied on their grit, composure and experience to catch and slowly distance themselves from the Lions. The Lions continued the all-out, full-court defensive attack on the Potters for almost the entire game, but Morton was determined, focused, disciplined and executed their game plan to the tune of a 20 point victory, leaving the Lions wondering what in the world just happened.
Peoria Central Coach, Meechie Edwards (an all-star player himself in high school), saw it coming as the game went on. Coach Edwards pleaded with his players and officials to see things the way he saw things throughout the game, but what he feared may happen, happened. The Potters displayed superior teamwork, overcame adversity and history, as well as very talented and determined opponent to march on towards March.
Their next opponent will be Galesburg High School at the Limestone Sectional on Monday, February 20th at 7pm. The Lady Potters will have the opportunity to exact a little revenge on the Silver Streaks for stealing one away from them in Galesburg this season. We will find out how much they have learned since their first meeting.
To see photo’s from the Regional Championship game vs. Peoria Central, click the following link: http://www.pjstar.com/photogallery/IP/20170217/SPORTS/217009995/PH/1?rssfeed=true&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter