Thornridge sectional-Mt. Carmel (21-5) took control early in its tournament opener, leading Richards 14-4 after one quarter and 39-19 at halftime in the way to a 71-43 victory. Antoine Walker had 18 points and Willie Jones 13 for Mt. Carmel, which had 10 players score. The Caravan forced Richards (12-14) into six early turnovers. The losers hit only one of nine shots in the opening quarter.
Next up for Mt. Carmel Friday at home is Thornridge, which stopped Thornwood 74-54 Wenesday. John Lott had 22 points to lead Thornridge (19-8). Three teammates-Chris King with 19, Mack Cleveland 13 and Jamil Jones 11-joined him in double figures. Thornwood (10-16) led 17-14 after one quarter, but Thornridge rallied to lead 32-23 at halftime. Eric Schultz had 13 points and Hameen Reynolds 11 for Thornwood.
Jarobi Kemp scored 27 points and Dejuan Thurman had 20 points, 12 rebounds and four steals as No. 3 St. Francis de Sales (22-1) eliminated Thornton Fractional South 80-63. Thurman had seven points and Joe Mayes (four points) had two steals in a 16-4 run that lifted St. Francis de Sales to a 36-26 halftime lead.
Tom Olejnik led T.F. South (4-22) with 23 points.