Andrew’s Danny Laird doesn’t mind coming off the bench. Not when it’s the playoffs. ‘This is what you dream of.’

Junior guard Danny Laird has been steadily earning more playing time off the bench for Andrew.

When Laird got on the court early in Wednesday night’s playoff opener, he made sure he would stay out there.

“This is what you dream of, playing in a game this close, getting a lot of minutes in a playoff game,” Laird said. “It was a lot of fun.”

Laird stepped up with 13 big points and the 10th-seeded Thunderbolts survived with a wild 67-66 overtime win over seventh-seeded Thornwood in a Class 4A Eisenhower Regional semifinal in Blue Island.

Nathan LaPlant led Andrew (18-12) with 18 points, including two free throws with 9.4 seconds left in OT that gave his team the lead for good.

Athan Berchos scored 11 points, Grantas Sakenis contributed 10 points and seven rebounds and Lewis recruit Austin Kulig added eight points and nine rebounds.

The Thunderbolts will take on second-seeded Brother Rice (28-4) — a 72-53 winner over Eisenhower — at 7 p.m. Friday in the regional championship game.

Arden Eaves, Kyvon Thompson and Tyler Wooten scored 13 points apiece for Thornwood (20-11).

Andrew struggled offensively early, trailing 12-9 after one quarter. But Laird provided a huge lift with seven points in the second quarter, including a 3-pointer that gave the Thunderbolts a 16-12 lead.

“I’ve been working on my game since the summer, putting in a lot of hours,” Laird said. “When I’m out there, I know I’m ready and prepared for the moment.

“That first shot’s key, I think. When you see it go in, it slows everything down.”

Andrew coach Dave Wilson has watched Laird, in his first varsity season, progress into a player capable of stepping up in big moments.

“More than not, juniors are not necessarily ready to contribute right away,” Wilson said. “Danny just wasn’t there yet. Then he started stacking up a lot of good practices.

“He’s a very smart player. Mentally, he was already there. Once he caught up physically, he was ready to help us.”

Laird say the key was to remain patient and learn from his older teammates.

“My playing time’s been on and off all year,” he said. “Lately, I’ve been getting a more significant role. You’ve always got to be ready when your number is called.”

Thornwood led 55-50 with four minutes left in regulation, but LaPlant hit two 3-pointers to spark an 8-0 run for Andrew.

LaPlant split a pair of free throws with 18 seconds left to put the Thunderbolts up 59-57 before Thornwood’s Tristan Taylor forced overtime, scoring on a drive to the basket with five seconds left.

That missed free throw motivated LaPlant, who went 2-for-2 from the line in the final seconds of OT.

“I had to calm down,” LaPlant said. “I missed one at the end of regulation that would have put it away so I couldn’t let my team down again. I had to put it away.”

Andrew hung on through a wild finish as Thornwood missed two free throws with no time left on the clock.

LaPlant was grateful for the lift Laird provided to help the Thunderbolts extend the season.

“Danny’s always a dog on defense,” LaPlant said. “He’s never going to stop. He came in and hit some big shots that really helped us and he helped save us.

“Late in the season, you’re going to need guys off the bench to step up. You can’t play five guys all game.”

The Thunderbolts realize they will be a big underdog against Brother Rice, but they’re ready to battle.

“You always hear about Brother Rice,” Wilson said. “But don’t count out Andrew. We have some hardworking kids from the South Side. It’s going to be fun.”

Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.