Extra Points: Oak Lawn, Shepard Set for Second Season

There is an excitement in Scott Atkins' voice.

“We have been playing well the last month and a half," the Oak Lawn boys basketball coach said following the Spartans' 67-61 victory over Shepard on Friday night. "We are playing like a team on both sides of the court.

"Our players like the feeling of winning. We are going to give it all we can to advance in the playoffs. This is what it's all about."

This is what is in store for Oak Lawn in the Class 4A playoffs: The Spartans face Argo at 6 p.m. Monday in a regional game at St. Rita. When the two met earlier, Oak Lawn prevailed. But expect both teams to dial it up a notch.

The winner will move on to face Chicago Mt. Carmel at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. And, from there, it's on to the regional final and a likely matchup with Chicago Bogan on Friday.

“We had a couple setbacks at the end of the season but only finished a game behind in conference," Shepard coach Tony Chiuccariello said. "We need this test to show we have learned from the many battles we had this season."

This is what is in store for Shepard in the Class 4A playoffs: Shepard faces Lincoln-Way North at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Lincoln-Way North Regional. The winner moves on to face Thornton at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Waiting on the opposite side of the bracket for a likely matchup in the regional final on Friday will be Lincoln-Way East or Sandburg.

So, good news to all the players, coaches and fans, the second season is here.

Sophomore Scor: Shepard 63, Oak Lawn 57. Michael Johnson scored 25 points to pace the Astros. Martin Einikis had 20 points for Oak Lawn.

Team Records: Oak Lawn closed out the regular season at 14-11 and 7-6 in the South Suburban Red. Shepard finishes 12-14 and 7-6.

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