Final Score: 57-52
The McLean Highlanders boys basketball team took on the Langley Saxons for the final showdown between the two rivals. The highly anticipated match would end up being a back and forth game, with McLean securing the win in the final minutes of the game to win the Rotary Trophy.
The first of the two face-offs was on Dec. 17, with McLean coming up short and losing the game at home by 16 points. In the hard-fought, gritty battle, McLean left it all on the court and came home victorious, much to the delight of the team and school.
“After losing the first game, I couldn’t accept losing to them again,” senior guard Zach Hasan said. “We were all prepared to go into this game with everything that we got to show them who we are.”
As the first quarter tipped off, McLean got off to a hot start offensively. The team kept moving the ball past the Saxon defense to lead at the end of quarter 12-11. Despite the home crowd, McLean players didn’t let the chants get in their heads.
Junior guard Jakob Luu led the charge on both the defensive and offensive side to begin the second quarter, scoring six points early. Langley couldn’t find any rhythm and was struggling while McLean kept pushing forward. When the second quarter ended with a score of 26-19, McLean players drew similarities to their last game vs the Saxons.
“Last game, we were leading after halftime as well, but we let it slip,” Luu said. “This time, we went back on the coaching we got from O’Brien to make sure we didn’t repeat that mistake.”
With the second half getting underway, both teams were eager to strike first and gain momentum. Langley was on a hot streak, giving McLean a tough time keeping their lead. As McLean desperately needed someone to lead their team, sophomore forward Isaac Bell stepped up with four straight points to propel McLean to a 41-35 lead by the end of the third quarter.
“It was a very tight game and I didn’t want to let the team down,” Bell said. “I played my hardest out there and gave it my all.”
With the fourth quarter quickly approaching, the crowd started to get loud and try to break McLean players. With around 2 minutes left, the pressure started to get to both teams. Bell and sophomore guard Jeremy Fuchs led McLean as Langley couldn’t find their touch. With multiple fouls committed by the Saxons and free throws sunk by the Highlanders, McLean prevailed by a score of 57-52.
“It was an amazing feeling to play and win against Langley,” Fuchs said. “It was a great team performance from all of us, and I hope to continue this form into the postseason.”
