Indiana basketball’s thrilling comeback victory against Ohio State showcased the remarkable talents of guard Anthony Leal’s, harking back to his days at Bloomington South.
In a pivotal moment during Tuesday night’s game at Value Center Arena, Trey Galloway, Leal’s longtime teammate from their Indiana Elite AAU days, displayed unwavering confidence as he passed the ball to Leal in the corner. Anticipating the outcome, Galloway watched as Leal calmly sank the go-ahead 3-pointer with just 22.4 seconds remaining, sealing a dramatic 76-73 win for the Hoosiers, who had trailed by as many as 18 points in the second half.
Anthony Leal @anthonyl3al = Game winning shots!! Rewind to January 2020 @ Silver Creek. @GreggDoyelStar @JimGordillo @IUHoosiers @IndianaMBB @MikeGlasscott @KentSterling @ZachOsterman @dandakich @WGCLradio pic.twitter.com/C02g7odXId
— Bloomington South Basketball (@BHSSBasketball) February 7, 2024
While Leal’s stat line might not fully capture his impact, with the 3-pointer being his sole field goal attempt in 26 minutes on the court, his clutch performance underscored his significance to the team. Galloway emphasized the special trust and chemistry they share, highlighting Leal’s reliability in crucial moments.
The former Mr. Basketball in Indiana has a history of delivering in pressure situations, reminiscent of his memorable moments at Bloomington South. Reflecting on Tuesday night’s heroics, Leal compared it to his buzzer-beater in 2020 that secured a victory over Silver Creek, as well as his game-winning shot against Floyd Central that ended their lengthy home winning streak during his senior year.
Recent weeks have seen Leal continue to shine for the Hoosiers, notably with a career-high 13 points in a win over Iowa. His impact on the court has grown, with pivotal plays igniting the crowd at Assembly Hall and solidifying his role within the team.
Despite facing limited playing time earlier in his career, Leal’s perseverance and dedication have paid off, earning him a more prominent role in the rotation. Indiana coach Mike Woodson praised Leal’s confidence and reliability, highlighting his invaluable contributions to the team’s success.
As Anthony Leal’s clutch performances stack up, his journey from Bloomington South to Indiana basketball exemplifies the resilience and determination that define his career.
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