Addison Trail’s lead was gone. The Blazers’ first playoff victory in eight years was slipping away. St. Charles East charged back and tied the game and had all the momentum heading into the final minute.
Luke Smith didn’t dither around. No fancy dribbles, fakes or passes. He crossed the half-court line, took a couple of steps and shot the ball. It went in. That put Addison Trail ahead by three points with 1:05 left.
St. Charles North didn’t score again and the Blazers came away with a 65-57 victory in the Class 4A regional semifinals.
“It was a big shot,” Smith said. “We had been sloppy a couple of possessions before that. I’m glad we pulled away.”
All of Smith’s three-pointers went in on Wednesday. He was 5-for-5 from three and 10 of 12 from the field. Smith finished with 38 points, seven assists, five steals and five rebounds.
“We’ve had guys step up all year which has been great,” Smith said. “But when it comes down to games like this I look forward to having the ball in my hands and being able to make the right play.”
Smith scored or assisted on 17 of Addison Trail’s 19 field goals. That’s not normal. It was a startlingly dominant performance in a state playoff win.
“That’s normal for him,” Blazers coach Brendan Lyons said. “He’s averaging 27 points and eight assists. He’s seen every defense. I know every team’s best player is important. But not like this. He’s so critical to what we do.”
Smith has scored 2,539 points in his high school career, placing him 30th in state history. That’s more points than EJ Liddell, Glen Grunwald, Max Christie and Fred VanVleet. It’s elite territory.
Smith is doing it efficiently. He’s shooting 57% this season and is the school leader in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals.
“He’s really good but nothing is about him,” Lyons said. “He’s so humble but when he speaks his teammates are locked in.”
Smith’s parents weren’t basketball players and he wasn’t gifted with next-level athleticism. He’s worked hard to become a dominant player. One key was building strength between his sophomore and junior years.
“Everything came gradually,” Smith said. “I just kept working on my game and improving and elevated into this.”
Attention from colleges has not followed. Smith doesn’t have a scholarship offer, although plenty of Division 3 schools are interested.
“At this point, I have a lot of good options,” Smith said. “I’ve been kinda riding out these last couple of months and just enjoying the season. I’m not really waiting for anything. I’ll go where I’m wanted.”
Senior Dom Renc is a crucial second ball-handler for the Blazers (17-14). His diving on the floor, hustling style sets the tone for the team. Junior Cam Salerno had five points and eight rebounds for Addison Trail and junior Manny Roque added nine points off the bench.
Senior Marco Klebosits led St. Charles East (15-17) with 14 points and seven rebounds.
Addison Trail is not a traditional basketball powerhouse, but a nice-sized student section turned out to cheer on Smith and the Blazers on Wednesday. They host Glenbard West in the regional final on Friday.
“I hope everyone comes out,” Smith said. “It did make a difference [on the big three-pointer late] to be at home and have the students section cheering and the environment.”
Addison Trail hasn’t won a regional since 1980. Lyons has been the coach since 2007.
“Sometimes we overcomplicate this game as coaches,” Lyons said. “Sometimes it is very simple and you see that with Smith. He does so much instinctively and plays so hard.”