Sandburg upsets No. 21 Lockport to make a statement during seeding week

High school coaches around the state are voting on sectional seeds this week and the Illinois High School Association will release the full state tournament bracket on Friday afternoon.

So, this is the last chance for teams to make a statement that lifts them a spot or two in the sectional. Sandburg took full advantage of its opportunity on Tuesday in Orland Park, upsetting No. 21 Lockport 55-52.

"That was most definitely fun," Eagles senior Jonah Johnson said. "But that is how we are supposed to play every game. We need to come out with that same energy and keep it rolling."

Johnson, a 6-2 guard, finished with 10 points and six rebounds. Will, his identical twin brother, led Sandburg with 13 points and six rebounds.

Jonah Johnson's post basket with 3:13 left put Sandburg (19-10, 9-6 SouthWest Suburban) ahead 51-45. Junior Daniel Morakinyo shot 4-for-6 from the free throw line in the final minute to see the win home for the Eagles.

The Johnson twins' father, Will, played at Western Michigan. The twins have already secured Sandburg's first winning season since 2018, and the overall goal is to win the school's first regional since 2003.

"We lost games we shouldn't have at the start of the season," Jonah Johnson said. "But his shows we can really compete against the better teams in our sectional."

It was a balanced offensive effort for Sandburg. Liiban Debala scored nine points and Malachi Perkis and Will Hooks each added five.

Lockport has a pair of talented twins of its own in juniors Nojus and Nedas Venckus. They combined for 44 points, but the Porters' offense never seemed to find a rhythm.

"We have [assistant coach Bob Curran] to thank for that," Jonah Johnson said. "He's such a great coach and he's been working with us on our new defense. It really messed [Lockport] up and got them off their game."

Nojus Venckus made a three in the final seconds to tighten up the score. He scored nine of his 24 points in the fourth quarter.

"I was very blessed to hire [Curran] in the offseason," Daniels said. "He's tremendous. His defensive system is good and the boys work really hard at it. We frustrated them."

Sandburg has won five consecutive games and beat Lincoln-Way Central and Lyons this season. But this is the first major win for the Eagles.

"A lot of people saw us as a 6, 7 or 8-seed," Daniels said. "This win changes that. We beat Lincoln-Way Central and Lockport head-to-head. We have to be considered for a 3 or 4-seed."

Lockport (22-5, 11-3) jumped into the Super 25 two weeks ago after knocking off Homewood-Flossmoor. The Porters have also lost to H-F twice.

Lockport and Sandburg are in the Class 4A Joliet West sectional. H-F and Marist seem locked in as the top two seeds, but it is totally up for grabs after that with the host Tigers, Brother Rice, Lincoln-Way Central, Thornwood and now Sandburg all in the mix.