When Plano needs help, the Reapers know to dial Udo Agomo’s number.
He answered the call Wednesday.
Agomo scored 7 of his 14 points during a third-quarter stretch that saw Plano erase a nine-point Tinley Park lead en route to a 63-61 win at the Class 3A Plano Regional.
“He’s our best player. He’s the guy we run everything through,” Plano coach Kyle Kee said of Agomo, who also grabbed 14 rebounds. “He’s got to come up big. Pretty big game for him tonight.”
Plano (18-12) raced out to an early 7-0 lead in a fast-paced game that both teams prefer. Then Tinley Park’s pressure got to the Reapers.
Tinley Park forced 15 first-half turnovers, taking a 30-24 lead into the break. When Femi Elutilo canned a three-pointer with 5:10 left in the third quarter, the visitors’ advantage was 37-28.
“It was tough trying to beat their press, and then after you beat it trying to score at the other end,” Agomo admitted. “We just had to stay positive, keep composed. We expected a fast-paced game.”
A pair of Agomo cutbacks, one a three-point play, sparked the rally. Another Agomo three-point play gave the Reapers a 39-38 lead, and a basket by Elijah Wallace capped off a 13-1 run to finish the quarter.
Wallace, who scored 19 points, started the fourth quarter with a three-point play.
“When we play with high energy and make good decisions, we’re a tough team to defend,” Kee said.
Elutilo scored a game-high 22 points and Tremayne Hollis added 12 for Tinley Park (7-18).
Malik Willis added 13 and Justin Rhotan 8 for Plano, which advances to play Joliet Catholic in Friday’s regional.
Agomo can’t wait.
“Very excited. Not a lot of teams get the opportunity to play a regional final on their home floor,” Agomo said. “It’s an opportunity we have to take advantage of.”
