Lawrence finishes strong at VSS

Senior Sammy Robinson scored six of his game-high 24 points during a late 13-2 run to lead visiting Lawrence to a 57-49 victory over two-time defending county champion Valley Stream South on Jan. 7.

Senior A’Dante Oliver added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Golden Tornadoes, who improved to 9-1 (4-1 in Conference A-III). The Falcons, who fell to 5-5 (2-3 in conference play), got a team-high 15 points from senior center Hall Elisias.

Valley Stream South, which trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half, battled back and held a 47-46 lead with 3:16 to play in the game. However, consecutive layups by junior Najier Gillespie and senior Marquan Williams, each off steals by Williams, gave Lawrence a three-point lead. The Golden Tornadoes put the game away at the free throw line. Williams finished with eight points and eight assists. 

Lawrence head coach Lou Robinson knew the game was an important one for his team. “We knew coming in that this would be a big test for us,” Robinson said. “We’ve been winning, and we have a good record, but we haven’t been playing many strong opponents. Down the stretch tonight, we did what we do best; used our defense to create offense. The conference is real strong, so there won’t be any easy nights. We’re taking it one thing at a time. Right now, we’re concentrating on getting better and making the playoffs.”

Five different players put the ball in the basket in the opening quarter to give the Golden Tornadoes a 17-7 lead at the end of one. When Gillespie converted a conventional three-point play to extend Lawrence’s lead to 24-12 midway through the second quarter, it looked like Lawrence might turn the game into a blowout.

But, the Falcons fought back. Paced by seven points from senior Dion Oguande, South went on a 14-2 run and trailed by just three points at the break. Mired in foul trouble, the 6-foot-8 Elisias was held to just four points in the first half.

The second half was a back-and-forth affair with neither team finding it easy to get into much of a flow on the offensive end. A baseline jumper from Elisias gave the Falcons their biggest lead of the game at 47-44. But, it was all Lawrence in the waning moments of the game. The Golden Tornadoes scored the last seven points of the game. 

“When we finally went ahead, I thought we had them,” South head coach Matt Johnsen said. “For most of the game, we did a nice job breaking the press, but we turned the ball over too much. We have to get better at keeping our poise and valuing each possession. Every league game is going to be tough. We have to win five of the next nine to make the playoffs.”

Lawrence travels to North Shore to take on the Vikings this Friday at 6:30 p.m.