Lyons Township knew its tough schedule, featuring seven games against ranked opponents, would eventually pay off this season.
And on Saturday, the Lions (7-7) received their reward when they defeated No. 11 New Trier 44-39 in non-conference action in Winnetka.
“Since we played a tough schedule, that makes us ready to play a team like New Trier,” Lyons coach David Ray said. “We don’t play patsies. Half of our schedule is against ranked teams.”
Graham Alexa led Lyons with 20 points and Tim O’Connor added 10. Alexa hit the layup that gave Lyons a 40-39 lead, and O’Connor then proceeded to turn two defensive rebounds and resulting fouls into four clinching free throws.
“This was a very big win,” Ray said. “This is what they work hard to do right here.”
Jerry Happ and Jack Kidd each scored 10 for New Trier (12-3).
Fenwick 89, Riverside-Brookfield 57: No. 4 Fenwick (15-1) won the non-conference contest behind an attack that featured five Friars in double figures. Dan Madden came off the bench to lead all scorers with 15, and Fenwick starters Corey Maggette (14 points, 13 rebounds), Mark Treadwell (12), Chris Williams (11) and Pat Shannon (10) also topped the 10-point plateau.
Fenwick opened the game with a 14-2 run on R-B (10-6) and never was challenged. For the night, the Friars hit 34 of 60 from the field.
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“Our intensity has improved,” Fenwick coach John Quinn said. “When we increase our intensity, we have a tendency to force teams into errors. We set the tempo on the defensive end of the floor.”
Proviso West 62, Thornridge 54: After 10 lead changes in a first half that ended with No. 6 Proviso West ahead 30-29, the Panthers (13-2) took control of the game with an 18-5 run in the third quarter. Awvee Storey had a game-high 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Travis Smith added 12 points and Mike Griffith 11. Thornridge (8-8) was led by Cachun Combs (16 points, nine rebounds) and Cordell Moore (17 points, three three-pointers).
Farragut 64, Tuscarawas Central Catholic (Ohio) 55: Ronnie Fields scored 20 of his game-high 30 points in the second half and grabbed nine rebounds to lead No. 7 Farragut (11-2) to the victory in front of 6,000 at Battelle Hall in Columbus, Ohio. Farragut hit only eight of 23 free throws to keep the game close.
“There were some positive things,” said Farragut coach William Nelson. “We ran our offense and didn’t have as many turnovers, but the missed free throws hurt.”
Deerfield 86, Lane Tech 77: Mike Casey (33 points) and Ryan Hogan (29) poured it on for No. 10 Deerfield (16-1), and the Warriors used a 23-9 second-quarter advantage to take control of the non-conference contest. Dan Saken added 17 points for Deerfield.
West Aurora 71, Waubonsie Valley 53: Torin Glover and Vincent Green each scored 14 and Ricky Taylor added 11 as No. 12 West Aurora (14-2, 8-0) stayed perfect in the Upstate Eight. Waubonsie Valley’s (6-8, 2-6) Lamont Johnson led all scorers with 20, and George Poulakidas chipped in 15.
West Aurora outscored Waubonsie 19-7 in the third to pull away. That quarter included an 8-0 run highlighted by Glover’s two three-pointers.
Hinsdale Central 58, Naperville Central 50: No. 14 Hinsdale Central (13-2) rebounded from a Friday night loss to Leyden with the non-conference victory at the UIC Pavilion. Naperville (9-6) led 27-26 at halftime, but Brian Wardle scored 17 of his 24 points in the second half to lead Hinsdale. Kevin Cuttica, who finished with nine points, scored the first four points of the second half off Wardle assists.
Wheaton-Warrenville South 74, Oak Park 61: After clinging to a 31-27 halftime lead, the 17th-ranked Tigers (13-2) used a 23-12 run in the third quarter to put this non-conference contest away. Host Wheaton shot 8 for 11 from the floor during the quarter.
Scott Sonnenberg led Wheaton with 25 points, followed by 13 from Bakari Adams and a complete performance turned in by Mike Collins (12 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and one steal). Jason Ayers led Oak Park (9-6) with 22 points, and Larry Jackson contributed 17.
St. Charles 71, Larkin 53: St. Charles (12-3, 6-2) won in the Upstate Eight with a 35-10 run over the final 12 minutes. Larkin (8-7, 2-6) committed seven turnovers in that span, and the Saints went 8 for 11 from the field in the fourth quarter. Casey Dodson’s 19 points led the winners. Matt Wasinger (13) and Shaun Catey (11) also hit double figures. Bill Cahoon’s 15 points and 12 rebounds led Larkin.
Rolling Meadows 76, Maine South 67: Ted Hagele’s 23 points sparked Rolling Meadows (6-10) in non-conference action. Justin Griffiths chipped in 17 points and Greg Applequist added 12 for Rolling Meadows, while Matt Hermes led Maine South with 20 points.
Libertyville 49, Zion-Benton 47: Libertyville (11-5, 5-2) took over second place in the North Suburban by edging Zion (12-6, 4-3). Cris Mitchell scored 16 points and Lukas McKnight 15 for the winners.
Homewood-Flossmoor 64, Lockport 44: H-F (8-6) won the non-conference contest behind Jason King’s 13 points and three steals and Brian Skowronski’s 10 points and nine rebounds. H-F’s half-court trap forced six Lockport (6-9) turnovers in the first five minutes, which helped the Vikings to a 17-2 lead. King had 11 of the 17 points and two steals during the run.
“Coming off such a tough, emotional loss last night (H-F lost a 12-point fourth-quarter lead to Bloom), we were really pleased with the way we performed tonight,” Homewood-Flossmoor coach Roy Condotti said.
Providence 53, Wheaton St. Francis 44: Derek Bills scored 24 points and Kenny Davis chipped in 13 as Providence (11-5) grabbed its 10th victory in its last 11 games. Jim Prombo led St. Francis with 16 points.
Wheaton North 53, Benet Academy 36: Wheaton North’s Chris Neibch’s 12 points led three players in double figures.
Waukegan 75, Buffalo Grove 70: Ronyale Hardeman scored 20 points and Charles Ramsey 17 as Waukegan won in non-conference play. Buffalo Grove’s Jason Siok led all scorers with 30.
Gordon Tech 72, St. Gregory 58: Chris Edwards scored 28 and Shannard Banks added 19 points and 14 rebounds as the Rams improved to 5-8.
St. Ignatius 64, Quigley 28: The Bruno brothers keyed St. Ignatius’ (7-8) non-conference victory as David tossed in 22 points and Brendan added 10.
Round Lake 65, Jacobs 63: Rob Moore was almost perfect, scoring 30 points on 14-of-15 shooting to lead Round Lake (9-8) in non-league play. Mike Allen added 15 points for Round Lake, which trailed by 10 at the half, pulled within three after three and rallied in the fourth.
Libertyville 49, Zion-Benton 47: Libertyville (11-5, 5-2) took over second place in the North Suburban by edging Zion (12-6, 4-3). Cris Mitchell scored 16 points and Lukas McKnight 15 for the winners, who survived a 14-5 Zion run down the stretch. “We came away with two wins this weekend, and that’s what matters,” Libertyville coach Max Sanders said.
Homewood-Flossmoor 64, Lockport 44: H-F (8-6) won the non-conference contest behind Jason King’s 13 points and three steals and Brian Skowronski’s 10 points and nine rebounds. H-F’s half-court trap forced six Lockport (6-9) turnovers in the first five minutes, which helped the Vikings to a 17-2 lead. King had 11 of the 17 points and two steals during the run.
“Coming off such a tough, emotional loss last night (H-F lost a 12-point fourth-quarter lead to Bloom), we were really pleased with the way we performed tonight,” Homewood-Flossmoor coach Roy Condotti said.
Aurora Christian 81, Marmion 56: Julian Harrell notched 20 points and 10 rebounds and Mark Allen added 18 points and 10 rebounds for Aurora Christian (11-3) in non-conference action.
Schaumburg 59, Dundee-Crown 27: Jeff Reichardt went 5 for 7 from three-point range, totaling 15 points, and Schaumburg (11-4) held Dundee-Crown (1-14) to only two third-quarter points in the non-conference contest.
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Kurt Kittner contributed eight points off the bench for Schaumburg, while J.T. Schuldt led Dundee-Crown with 10 points.
Timothy Christian 51, Luther South 49: Dave Deters scored 31 points, sparking his team (9-9, 5-4) to a Private School League victory.
Burlington Central 66, Kaneland 50: Matt Kuschel scored 23 and Mike Davidson 15 for Burlington Central (13-3).
Fenton 63, Elmwood Park 52: Chaz Taft poured in 26 points and Bryan Scott added 13 to lead Fenton (5-10) in the Suburban Prairie crossover
Elgin Academy 87, Mooseheart 72: Brian Hurley (24 points) and Nate Anderson (15) helped overcome the performance of Joe Renegar, who led Mooseheart (6-8) with 29. The non-conference triumph was Elgin Academy’s (13-4) eighth straight victory.