It may not be the biggest victory in Niles North history, but David Echaya’s three-pointer at the buzzer lifted the visiting Vikings (5-9, 3-1) past Glenbrook North 68-67 Friday night. The win ties the Vikings with the Spartans (11-3, 3-1) for first place in the Central Suburban North.
“I’d rather not have to win it at the buzzer like that,” said Echaya. “I don’t want us to have to struggle through a whole ball game before we win it at the end. But if I have the ball in that situation, I’m gonna take the shot.”
Trailing 48-47 to begin the final quarter, Glenbrook North took a 67-65 lead on a Dan Lirtzman’s bucket with 6.5 seconds left. Lirtzman, who was fouled on the shot, missed the ensuing free throw. Echaya then grabbed a pass and took off downcourt, nailing the game-winning three-pointer
Echaya finished with 22 points, including three three-pointers, while Mike Gussis contributed 19points and Bart Pryputmiewicz added 13.
Bill Donlon led Glenbrook North with 18 points, Josh Carl had 13 and Joe Hein added 12.
St. Joseph 59, Benet 47: Rodney Horton scored six points in a 10-2 run that lifted St. Joseph (10-3, 4-0) to a 51-38 lead on the way to the East Suburban Catholic Conference victory.
Horton, who didn’t play the first half for disciplinary reasons, had 10 points. Brandon Kelley led St. Joseph with 12 points and Marcus Betts had 11. Benet (7-6, 3-2), which led 23-22 at halftime, was led by Patrick Fagan’s 13 and Ryan Bartemeyer’s 10.
“That was a big win for us,” said St. Joseph coach Gene Pingatore. “It was a conference win coming back, and they’ve (Benet) have been playing well.”
Lane Tech 64, Senn 53: Mike McKay’s 19 points were tops for the Indians while Corey Evans finished with 17 in the Red North.
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Glenbrook South 72, Waukegan 47: Dan Vardijan had 16 points, Jeff Berman 15 and Aaron Schmidt had 13 as the Titans (8-6, 1-3) won the Central Suburban South game.
Wheaton St. Francis 71, Driscoll 64: Brian Hughes and Ron Kammes each scored 17 points to lead Wheaton St. Francis (7-5, 3-1) in the Suburban Catholic. Phil Brunner had 18 points for Driscoll (4-10, 0-4).
St. Gregory 69, Holy Trinity 53: Foster Moore scored 21 points and Donny Cooper had 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead St. Gregory (7-5, 3-1) in the Chicagoland Prep.
Nazareth 73, Luther North 41: Vinnie Sherrod scored 22 points to lead Nazareth (10-4, 5-1) in the Private School League.