Extra Points: H-F Powerful From Long Range

ORLAND PARK--Three-point shooting can be an important phase in any basketball game. When a coach has the weapons, he often will design plays so shooters can get open looks.

Jim McLaughlin had two players combine for six three-point baskets on Tuesday night in a 52-46 victory over Sandburg. Julian Lewis nailed a pair of 3s, and senior guard David Fatoki rained down the other four. Fatoki, in fact, was 4-of-7 from long range. And, to be fair to Fatoki, one of those misses was an attempt at a half-time buzzer-beater.

A player's focus is also a key element. McLaughlin noticed Fatoki's focus.

"He came out ready to play," McLaughlin said. "Out of every body in the group, he was the one that was most focused. It's usually pretty easy to tell if a guy is focused by the way he's playing or the way he's shooting the ball. He got his feet set and he knocked down shots for us."

Fatoki also knew he was focused. He shoots 3s in practice all the time. As a 5-8, 150-pound guard, the speedy Fatoki is able to get open. He realizes that when he gets shut down, he has to pass the ball off. 

"I hit that first three and then I kept going," Fatoki said. "The ball felt good leaving my hand. I always shoot in practice, and I feel like it's going in."

All 12 of his points came by way of the three-pointer in the first half.  Sandburg shut Fatoki down the second half, but he still carried on by passing the ball around.

"At first, it's kind of frustrating," he said. "But then you realize if they're focusing on you, your teammates can get open. It felt good that they were focusing on me, but I knew my teammates would step up."

And step up they did. Lewis scored 12 points in the third quarter alone.

In order to seal the 14-0 Southwest Suburban Blue record, the Vikings will need to excute against Lincoln-Way Central on Friday night. And then on March 1, they will partake in the Plainfield Central Regional.

Look for Fatoki to rain down some more 3s in the postseason.

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