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Antonio Phillips vs. MVCC

General Chris Kuchta

Phillip’s Game-Winner Pushes Pioneers Past Skyway Rival

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. --- When the Chicago Cubs were making their run to the 2016 World Series title, manager Joe Maddon would often tell leadoff hitter Dexter Fowler, "As you go, we go."
 
That same adage can definitely be applied to the Prairie State men's basketball team in regard to sophomore forward Antonio Phillips (Crete-Monee H.S.). 
 
In order for the Pioneers to mount a charge toward post season play, Phillips has to be one of the main pistons in PSC's collective engine.  And he has to be firing on all cylinders.
 
After battling a leg injury throughout much of the 2024-25 season, Phillips appears to be coming out on the other side and it couldn't come at a better time.
 
His play Tuesday night against Illinois Skyway Conference rival Moraine Valley is proof positive of that.
 
Phillips' put back with 1.9 seconds remaining lifted PSC to a dramatic 80-78 victory over the Cyclones at the PSC Fieldhouse.
 
The win pushed the Pioneers' overall record to 8-14 with a 3-5 mark in league play. 
 
The 6-foot-3 Phillips led all scorers with 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the floor.  He also pulled down nine rebounds and made off with a quartet of steals. 
 
Phillips' final bucket leaves him just 75 tallies shy of 1,000 points in a PSC uniform. 
 
The game-winning hoop came on the tail end of a flurry of put back attempts by several PSC players.  After securing a rebound, Phillips flicked off a high floater that caught nothing but net.
 
In all, four Pioneers scored in double figures.
 
In addition to Phillips, sophomore guard Wade Simms (Thornridge H.S.) delivered a 19-point, five-steal outing.
 
Sophomore guard Anthony Vaval (Gwendolyn Brooks H.S.), (14 points, 5 assists) and sophomore forward Chakaris London (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (10 points, 3 rebounds), freshman forward Devin Vent (Momence H.S.), 8 points, 5 rebounds, block) and sophomore forward Daniel Mordi (Richards H.S.), (7 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) all aided the Pioneers' cause.
 
In a contest which witnessed 10 lead changes, the Pioneers led 35-30 at halftime. 
 
Trailing 78-76 with 1:11 to play, Phillips, who was fouled on a field goal attempt, knocked to a pair of free throws to knot the tilt. 
 
PSC will see action next on Thursday when they face Skyway opponent Lake County in Grayslake (7:15 p.m.).
 
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