By Craig Lynch
Yourseason.com
The Romans felt they had a lot to play for as they prepared for Friday nights regional final at Holy Trinity.
Chaz Stevenson scored 22 points to lead Latin to a 51-46 victory over conference rival Francis Parker and a berth in Tuesdays Lisle sectional semifinal.
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Last year, they took the regional from us and it was a horrible loss, said Stevenson. We split with them in conference but they beat us by over twenty the last time we played them.
Parkers last lead was 32-30 midway through the third quarter, before Stevenson helped the Romans (18-6) seize control with two three-point connections. Liam Farley (12 points) closed the third period with another three, giving Latin the 39-32 advantage.
Latin was held without a field goal for the first five minutes of the fourth period. Parker closed to 41-38 on a basket by Ian Forest (11 pts) with 4:11 left to play.
But Latins Grant Simon split a pair of free throws and Stevenson scored a basket and hit two free throws to give the Romans a 46-38 lead with 2:15 remaining.
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The Colonels (18-9) closed to 46-42 with a 1:27 to play on a basket by Judd Barron (7 pts), but would get no closer.
The guys looked to me. Im the captain and Im a senior. Tonight was no time to shy away from taking big shots, said Stevenson.
Coach Dave Vandermulen concurred.
Chaz is a money player. We want him out there when the games on the line.
Parker was led by Langdon Neal with 16 points.