A furious fourth-quarter comeback wasn’t enough for the Lee’s Summit North boys basketball team Saturday.
North was unable to overcome an 16-point deficit as the Broncos saw their stellar season come to an end following a 56-49 loss to Park Hill South in the Class 5 state quarterfinals at the University of Central Missouri Multipurpose Building.
“Just a little too little, too late,” North coach Mike Hilbert said after his team wrapped up a 21-8 season. “We had some opportunities and didn’t quite take advantage of them – and Park Hill South didn’t leave the door open for long.
“You have to give Park Hill South credit. When we were really coming after them, they had an answer.”
The answer came at the free-throw line, where the Panthers hit each of their one-and-one attempts in the fourth quarter and finished with 12 points from the stripe in the final eight minutes.
With 4:19 to play, the Broncos forced three consecutive turnovers. Those turnovers, however, resulted in zero points.
After that, the Broncos began to whittle down a 42-25 deficit with stellar defense and eight late points from D.J. Dunbar.
“When we forced those three turnovers in the middle of the quarter,” Hilbert said, “we had the chance to really make a comeback. Even though we didn’t score any points at that time, it showed me how hard the guys were working.
“They kept working hard and we got it close – but we just couldn’t get over that hump to make it a one- or two-possession game.”
The Panthers (21-9) led 10-9 after one period, but the Broncos offense went south in the second quarter and Park Hill South took a 22-13 lead into halftime.
“We only scored four points in the second quarter, but South’s defense had a lot to do with that,” Hilbert said. “It wasn’t from a lack of effort. They did a great job keeping the ball away from our big guys in the paint – and when we did get it down low, we weren’t very effective.”
North’s big men were a combined 4 of 17 in the paint.
North’s late comeback was fueled by defensive excellence and a 24-point fourth quarter at least made the game exciting.
“A great comeback,” Hilbert said. “This has been a very special season. Today, we lost to the better team. I know Park Hill South will do a great job representing the metro area at the final four.”
Dunbar led the Broncos with 13 points and Kenny Berry added 10.
Rocky Benson led the Panthers with 14 points.
The Panthers will play Springfield Hillcrest (23-7) at 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Mizzou Arena in the Class 5 state semifinals.
CLASS 5 QUARTERFINAL
BOYS
At the University of Central Missouri Multipurpose Building
PARK HILL SOUTH 56, LEE'S SUMMIT NORTH 49
Park Hill South (21-9): Keesee 2 1-2 5, Robaska 4 0-0 10, Schemenauer 1 2-4 4, Hildebrandt 2 3-4 8, Benson 4 6-7 14, Williams 4 0-2 9, Mickles 1 0-0 2, Enloe 1 1-2 4. Totals 19 13-21 56.
Lee's Summit North (21-8): Berry 3 3-4 10, Dunbar 4 5-8 13, Lewis 3 0-0 8, Salazar 1 3-4 5, Kravish 3 3-4 9, Harrington 1 0-0 2, Eller 1 0-0 2. Totals 16 14-20 49.
PARK HILL SOUTH 10 12 20 14 — 56
LEE'S SUMMIT NORTH 9 4 12 24 — 49
Three-point goals: Robuska 2, Hildebrandt, Williams, Eller, Berry, Lewis 2. Total fouls: South 11, North 14. Fouled out: Benson, Salazar.
