By Xavier Sanchez
Correspondent
Oak Lawn forward Henry Martinez has long thought about playing for the Spartans.
Martinez is not only playing for them, but he is also becoming a key contributor for an Oak Lawn team that entered this week unbeaten.
His 20-point performance and some clutch free-throws were instrumental in maintaining that prefect record, as he carried the Spartans to a 68-66 victory in over Evergreen Park in an entertaining South Suburban Red battle Dec. 8 in Oak Lawn.
“Since I was a little kid, I would watch Oak Lawn High School (basketball),” Martinez said after the game. “It is inspiring for myself and my family that I am finally doing this now.”
In front of a packed house, the teams spent the first quarter trading shots and crashing each other’s missed shots. The Spartans (9-0, 3-0 South Suburban Red) led by as many as eight points but went into the second quarter up only one at 20-19.
Evergreen Park guard Keshaun Crawl-Vaval scored 10 of his 22 points in the first quarter to help the Mustangs to a good start offensively.
Oak Lawn quieted an enthusiastic contingent of Evergreen Park fans who made the trip west on 95th Street, as they finished the first half with a 44-30 lead — their largest advantage of the evening.
The Mustangs outscored the Spartans 18-11 in the third quarter, then upped that effort in the fourth to take the lead with 3:18 left in the game.
Corey Lee got the lead back for the Spartans with a three shortly after, and Ali Farhan sank one of two free throws to give Oak Lawn a two-point lead with 20.3 seconds to go.
But the Mustangs weren’t finished, as Tre Dowdell (17 points) found Billy Buchanan under the basket for a layup to tie the game with just 6.2 seconds remaining.
Evergreen Park, however, fouled Martinez after the ensuing in-bounds play, which sent him to the line. The gym grew quiet Martinez as he sank two free-throws and sealed the Spartans’ victory.
Martinez finished with 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, blocked four shots and dished out two assists. Donte Montgomery added 18 points for the Spartans.
Buchanan finished with 14 points, 16 rebounds and two blocks for Evergreen Park.
Spartans coach Jason Rhodes told Martinez during the week he wanted to utilize him more.
“‘Let’s play through you,’” Rhodes said he told Martinez. “And our guys did a good job at getting him the ball in good positions.”
Farhan stepped up for the Spartans in the absences of multiple teammates and finished with a career-high 11 points. Jack Dempsey left the game with a leg injury and Corey Lee missed much of the fourth quarter with an injury before fouling out.
Rhodes was proud of the way the team played in their absence.
“Our team has a lot of heart and they displayed it tonight,” said Rhodes. “Our guys played tough and played good defense against a very good offensive team.”
The Spartans defeated Bartlett, 57-51, the following day to improve to 9-0.
“Our goal is to be undefeated, win the [Teutopolis Classic Tournament over winter break], and just go game by game and win every game,” Martinez said.
Farhan says the secret to winning games like the Spartans did against the Mustangs is good energy and great practices.
“These last few days, we were on our stuff at practices, and I believe that is what won us the game. Good energy, good practices, every day.”
