Boys basketball: Robinson comes up big for Lake Central
By John O’Malley Post-Tribune correspondent February 9, 2012 11:28PM
Lake Central's Glenn Robinson goes in for the dunk with Valparaiso's John Mosser defending in the fourth quarter Thursday evening at Lake Central High School. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 11, 2012 8:52AM
ST. JOHN — Glenn Robinson III responded to being left off the McDonald’s All-American list with his actions and words.
The Lake Central senior recorded game-highs of 24 points and 16 rebounds in the Indians’ 58-44 win over Valparaiso in a Duneland Athletic Conference game Thursday night.
Robinson’s play — along with a strong performance by sophomore center Tyler Wideman, who scored 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked six shots — gave the Indians (16-2, 11-1) the DAC title outright.
“It feels fantastic to finally get that for our school,’’ LC coach Dave Milausnic said. “It’s nice to play for something — we didn’t play in a tournament at Christmas time — and give the kids a little bit of a taste of what we’re going to be playing for in the sectional.’’
Robinson said he felt good about winning the DAC title. He admitted he was very motivated after being snubbed for the McDonald’s All-American team.
“Yeah, that was one of my goals — to be a McDonald’s All-American — since I was little,’’ Robinson said. “To not make the team is a little bit disappointing. It gives me more motivation for the future. I’m going to show them that they made a mistake. I should have made the team.’’
Milausnic’s response?
“His name was in the discussion for it,’’ he said. “I don’t know any of the other kids who made it. I haven’t seen them play. I just know I wouldn’t trade Glenn for anybody.’’
Robinson was ranked as the 26th-best player in the country by ESPN and as the nation’s No. 6 small forward.
Valparaiso (12-6, 8-4) held a 21-20 halftime lead as junior John Mosser and senior Drew Boetel scored 19 of those points.
The Indians, however, crashed the boards with authority in the third period and outscored the Vikings 23-7 to take a commanding 43-28 lead into the fourth quarter.
“The key to the game were all those steals Lake Central had that turned into easy baskets,’’ Valpo coach Joe Otis said. “We played them tough. I was proud of the fact we didn’t quit. I think it was really good for our kids to play a team like Lake Central in a hostile environment like this. I think we needed that. These kids, except for Drew, have never really been in a tourney environment. The kids will be able to tell people they played here against Glenn years from now.’’
Drew Boetel led Valparaiso with 17 points, while Mosser scored 14 — 10 in the first half — and grabbed 11 rebounds.
LC’s defense had eight blocks and nine steals and limited Valparaiso to 31.4 percent shooting.
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