Loyola Academy’s Julian DeGuzman drives the lane against St. Joseph’s Jordan Boyd. PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE HANDWERKER
A new phrase being kicked around these days is “Let’s be legendary.”
Thank you for that, Clemson University quarterback Deshaun Watson (see headline: Clemson beats Alabama for national title).
Okay, what Ramar Evans did the other night on a basketball court may not have been Watson-like legendary.
But, in our little corner of the universe … close enough.
The Loyola Academy senior was simply Ramar-velous in his team’s riveting 60-59 come-from-way-behind overtime win over visiting St. Joseph on Jan. 13.
His play was all the rage. It was curtain-call worthy. Tallying 27 points — a career high for this three-year starter — is always good.
How Evans compiled those 27? Even better.
His nerves of steel at the foul line — and from beyond the arc — late in the game helped the Ramblers “steal” a game that they had no business winning.
Going up against a very good opponent, which is coached by the legendary Gene Pingatore, the Ramblers had to do something truly spectacular to overcome a 13-point deficit, 48-35, with 4:47 left in regulation.
So, was the Force with the Ramblers? Well, there was this. LA’s all-state quarterback Tommy Herion was spotted in the LA student section wearing a Darth Vader mask (see below).
Evans, who will play Division II basketball at Maryville University in St. Louis next season, was Cadillac Coupe de Ville good at the end of the fourth quarter and then again at the end of the overtime.
His two free throws with four seconds left in regulation sent the game into overtime.
Then, the steely and stoic Evans capped his evening by hitting two more free throws with five seconds remaining in OT.
“It was not that tough,” said Evans, of the pressure-packed, all-eyes-on-him free throws. “I’ve been playing basketball since I was a little kid. I live for moments like that.”
Evans, who recently was named the tourney MVP at the Gulfshore Holiday Hoopfest in Florida, tallied 10 of his team’s 18 points in the fourth quarter and eight of his team’s 10 points in overtime.
“That was Ramar playing with a lot of grit,” said LA head coach Tom Livatino. “He steps up and makes plays.”
And yet, Evans was more than willing to share the glory with one of his teammates. He gave Julian DeGuzman a rave review — and tremendous assist — after the game.
“If he doesn’t make those defensive plays, you’re not even talking to me right now,” said Evans.
Cause meet effect.
DeGuzman set up Evans’ offensive heroics by drawing two charges — one with 36 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the other with 70 seconds left in overtime.
Net result? Evans followed up DeGuzman’s two defensive gems with three-point field goals.
“We won the game because of those tough-minded plays by Julian,” said Evans.
Taking charges are like rare gold coins at Loyola.
Want to build equity with LA’s coaching staff?
Then, go all American Express on the court. Take a charge.
Players are encouraged: “Don’t Leave the Court Without Them.”
“We’re taught to play with guts. To take a hit,” said DeGuzman, a solidly built 6-foot-3, 215-pound post player.
“Honestly, taking charges is the best,” added DeGuzman, who has taken six on the season so far (He wants more). “Granted, they may hurt sometimes. But I love taking them.”
DeGuzman might have had only five points and three rebounds in the win over St. Joe, but the tough-minded senior brings a certain amount of physicality to every game.
Check him out. He’s a screen waiting to happen.
“I set a lot of them,” said DeGuzman.
And he’s not timid with them.
“Coaches tell us to set hard screens,” DeGuzman said. “Give ’em whiplash. But do it legally.
“The better the screen, the better the opportunity for us to score,” he added.
DeGuzman, who lives in Chicago, has been tight with Evans and fellow senior Matt Lynch since childhood. Basketball has always been their thing.
“I can’t stop playing it,” he said. “It’s not only fun, but it helps me [mentally and emotionally]. After a rough day at school, I can go into the gym and forget about everything.”
Nothing is set, but DeGuzman, who played his club basketball with Fundamental U last offseason, is making plans to play at the next level.
“I’m going to be playing Division III basketball,” said a determined DeGuzman. “I just don’t know where yet.”
In the meanwhile, the Ramblers have plenty of basketball left in the 2016-17 season. And right now, they are the hottest team on the North Shore. They went 4-0 to win the Gulfshore Holiday Hoopfest in Florida over winter break.
With that victory over St. Joe (7-7), LA extended its win streak to six games and improved its overall mark to 11-5.
Just as more important, the Ramblers found a way to close out a contest. This was the their first overtime win of the season. The team is now 1-3 in extra-session games.
“Tonight, I think our kids just decided they weren’t going to lose,” said Livatino.
Notable: Junior sharpshooter Kevin Cunningham played a key role in LA’s win. He contributed points in each quarter, including six in the third and five in the fourth. Despite giving up several inches, the 6-foot guard, who was named to the all-tournament team at the Gulfshore Holiday Hoopfest, used some crafty moves to convert a couple baskets in the paint. His four three-pointers went a long way in helping the Ramblers to pull off the comeback. … Senior forward Matt Sechman had some nice stretches. He pulled down four rebounds in final three minutes of the first half. He also blocked two shots. … The game had one buzzer beater. LA’s Kai Khasu, a reserve senior guard, capped the third quarter by scoring on a put-back. Degree of difficulty? Very high. The athletic Khasu was falling backwards as he threw up the eight-foot shot.
Ramar Evans eyes the rim before making the game-winning free throw against St. Joseph. PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE HANDWERKER
LA senior quarterback Tommy Herion wears a Darth Vader mask during LA’s win over St. Joe. PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE HANDWERKER