03/01/2006
By BRIAN PORTER, Staff writer

COPPELL - The John Roberson and Friends Show continues.

John Roberson sank 2-of-2 foul shots with two seconds remaining Tuesday to move Plano within two games of the state tournament as Plano defeated Duncanville, 56-54.

Plano (24-8) advances to meet Odessa at 6 p.m. Friday at Abilene Christian's Moody Coliseum in the first of two Region II-Class 5A boys basketball semifinal playoff games. The Region II-Class 5A championship game takes place at noon Saturday at Moody Coliseum.

All the late breaks Tuesday were going against Plano. Roberson seemed to have a steal to seal the game, but a foul was called. Duncanville (25-7) was not called for goaltending on the ensuing possession and tied the game, 54-54.

Then came the patented Roberson answer. The junior drove the length of the floor and was fouled.

"Coach (Tom Inman) told me to make the first and miss the second," Roberson said.

"I told him 'you just couldn't miss the second one, could you," Inman said.

It's reminiscent of Plano's last trip to a regional tournament in 2003, when Plano defeated No. 2 John Tyler. Duncanville is ranked No. 4 in the TABC Class 5A state poll.

A 12-2 run to close the third period helped Duncanville to a 40-36 advantage.

It only sparked the beginning touches of another Roberson display of fortitude. Roberson scored the final five points of the third period for No. 18 Plano. He ripped off a pair of three-pointers to open the fourth period. Then he assisted Landon Skinner for a 44-40 advantage.

"I wasn't trying to force it," Roberson said. "We were down and I had to take over. Then I started feeding Eric (Zastoupil), Joe (Fulce) and Landon."

Plano burned its last timeout with 3:47 remaining in regulation, adding to its difficulties in pulling out the victory.

"We made a lot of mistakes," Roberson said. "We were fortunate to shake them off."

Roberson scored 10 of his game-high 16 points in the second half. Skinner scored six of his 10 in the fourth period.

Plano appeared to be pulling away in the early moments of the third period as it opened the second half on a 7-0 run to take a 31-24 advantage. Duncanville followed with a 16-5 run to close the period.

Plano also led 19-14 two possessions into the second period, but Duncanville rallied to tie the game at halftime.

The Wildcats converted 6-of-8 free throws in the final 2:30 of the game. It had received just five previous free-throw attempts in the game.