With Wheeling winning its odd midweek contest over Barrington, Palatine knew exactly what it needed to do Friday night to keep pace in the Mid-Suburban League North Division race: win.
That’s exactly what the Pirates (12-7, 6-1) did, beating crosstown rival Fremd 62-49 on the road.
Keith Peterson, who led Palatine with 15 points, came up with the big play. He hit a three-pointer with three seconds left in the first half and was fouled, sinking the free throw to convert the four-point play and tie the game at 27-27.
“Our patience on offense allowed us to control the tempo of the game,” said Palatine coach Ed Molitor.
Paul Tharp led Fremd (10-7, 3-3) with 20 points.
Aurora Christian 80, Hales 78: Julian (27 points) and Jabari (19) Harrell keyed the offense as Aurora Christian (14-4) squeaked past Hales (8-11) to run its home winning streak to 72 games. Matt Stott (12 points) hit two free throws with :15 remaining to clinch it for Aurora Chistian. Barry Johnson led the visitors with 27.
Oak Park 59, York 54 (OT): Jason Ayers (13 points) sank four free throws in overtime for Oak Park (10-8, 3-4) in the West Suburban Silver, halting the Huskies’ seven-game losing streak. Quinton Edwards added 12 points for the winners, playing their first game since the suspension of star Larry Jackson, and Bryan Bracey scored 10 off the bench. York’s Tim Stratton led all scorers with 31 points.
Elk Grove 72, Schaumburg 70 (2 OT): Tony Alvarado (28 points) buried two free throws with :03 left in the second overtime as Elk Grove (7-11, 1-5) posted its first Mid-Suburban South victory of the season, shocking Schaumburg.
“He played the entire game,” Elk Grove coach Dan Crivellone said of Alvarado. “I give our guys credit for coming back from seven down in the fourth.”
Jeff Reichardt had 26 points and Mike Pomroy added 20 for Schaumburg (12-6, 4-2), which fell out of a tie for first.
Marist 52, St. Patrick 44: Matt Manzke collected 22 points, nine rebounds and three steals to help keep Marist (14-3, 7-0) unbeaten in the East Suburban Catholic. Justin Cuculich and Scott Gallardo added 13 apiece. Marist trailed by seven at the half before rallying.
St. Francis de Sales 61, Loyola 59: Sean Lampley and Lee Lampley each hit one free throw in the final :24 to help De Sales (11-6, 4-4) claim the Catholic League contest. Sean finished with 24 and Lee 18.
St. Joseph 55, Marian Catholic 45: Aaron McIntosh’s 13 points led the Chargers (7-0 in the East Suburban Catholic).
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Naperville Central 60, Glenbard East 44: Justin Bennett scored 16 points to lead three players in double figures for Naperville (12-6, 7-1) in the DuPage Valley.
Glenbrook North 66, Highland Park 51: Glenbrook North (12-5, 4-2) prevailed in Central Suburban North play as Joe Hein had 30 points and 12 rebounds and Pete Carroll added 11 points. Glenbrook North won its sixth straight. Michael Goldner’s 18 points and nine boards topped Highland Park (9-9, 3-3).
“I think we’re surprised where we’re at,” said Glenbrook North coach David Weber. “We’re a sleeper, and no one is taking us too seriously. We’ve been doing well since Christmas.”
St. Charles 83, DeKalb 57: St. Charles (14-3, 7-2) won the Upstate Eight contest with balance. Casey Dodson scored 15 points, Shaun Catey had 14 points and eight assists, Garrett Beatty 14 points and Ryan Lindgren 12 points. The Saints had a 21-2 first-half run that included three straight three-pointers.
Sycamore 56, Geneva 42: Sycamore (11-6, 4-1) earned the Suburban Prairie White victory as Chuck Knapp netted 18 points and Keith Fogle had 14 points and seven rebounds. Fogle hit all 10 of his free throws, and Sycamore hit 15 of 17 in the fourth quarter.
Zion-Benton 51, Lake Forest 49: Manasseh Stackhouse’s two free throws with :02.8 left proved the difference for Zion-Benton (15-6, 6-3) in the North Suburban. Ed Cage, who scored 26 points, had tied the game for Lake Forest (14-5, 5-4) with :17 left. Stackhouse finished with 13 points, and Doug Rettig led Zion with 18.
Benet 45, Carmel 42: Adam VanSomeron scored 13, while Louis Neil and Brian Eshoo added 10 apiece as Benet (8-10, 3-4) edged Carmel in the East Suburban Catholic. Carmel’s Mike Graham led all scorers with 17.
Downers Grove South 63, Morton 44: Downers South (10-9, 5-2) earned the West Suburban Gold triumph behind LaJarvis’ Wilson’s 14 points and six rebounds and Antwaun Cubie’s 11 points.
Glenbrook South 72, Maine East 54: Glenbrook South (10-8, 3-3) evened its Central Suburban South record as Shawn Schmidt’s 18 points led the way.
St. Viator 59, Holy Cross 47: St. Viator (13-5, 6-1) cruised in the East Suburban Catholic as Mike Hare scored 21 points on 9-for-11 shooting and also had 10 rebounds. Zac Funk added 10 points, including eight in the fourth quarter for Viator. Nicola Raimondi’s 11 points and 10 rebounds led Holy Cross (10-8, 4-3).
McHenry 58, Jacobs 57: McHenry (7-11, 5-4) held off Jacobs in the Fox Valley as Lincoln Adams scored 20 and Todd Anderson added 16. Jacobs (11-8, 4-5) tied the game 54-54 with 3:33 remaining on a three-point play by Sina Vidic (24 points). McHenry pulled away, however, on a layup by Mitch Slater and two free throws by Dan Phillips.
“We played a heady game, but we knew we had to, because Jacobs is so aggressive and so quick and puts on so much pressure,” said McHenry coach Kurt Pearson.
Hersey 72, Buffalo Grove 63: Michael White’s 27 points included four three-pointers and Chris Nowinski added 22 points as Hersey (10-8, 4-2) won the Mid-Suburban North contest.
Grayslake 60, Marian Central 58: Chris Wirsing’s jumper at the buzzer lifted Grayslake (5-14, 5-4) in the Northwest Suburban. Luke Kron’s 23 points led the winners.
Grant 61, Wauconda 58: Jason Loring’s 17 points helped Grant improve to 7-3 in the Northwest Suburban.
Prospect 62, Rolling Meadows 51: Erik Faust scored 19 points for Prospect (10-8, 3-3) in the Mid-Suburban South. Justin Griffiths led Rolling Meadows (7-11, 1-5) with 18.
Waukegan 72, Niles West 59: Ronyale Hardeman’s 21 points and Mark Copeland’s all-around game boosted Waukegan (9-9, 4-2) in the Central Suburban South. Copeland finished with 16 points, 11 assists and seven steals.
Streamwood 61, Waubonsie Valley 57: Steve Lamberti had 24 points for Streamwood in the Upstate Eight. Waubonsie Valley’s George Poulakidas led all scorers with 31 points.
Libertyville 70, North Chicago 56: J.R. Jurecko controlled the middle, scoring 14 points and hauling down 15 rebounds for Libertyville (13-5, 7-2) in the North Suburban. Lukas McKnight led all scorers with 23.
St. Ignatius 57, Brother Rice 45: St. Ignatius (10-8, 4-4) held Brother Rice to 15 second-half points en route to the Catholic League victory. John Mosley and David Bruno each scored 13 to lead the Wolfpack offensively.
Luther North 76, Aurora Central 62: Jason VanPuymbroeck scored 35 points on 16-of-20 shooting as Luther North (7-12, 3-8) earned the Private School League victory.
Notre Dame 50, Joliet Catholic 46: Nate Bronski scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half to lead Notre Dame (5-18, 2-8) in the East Suburban Catholic.
St. Gregory 73, St. Benedict 57: Donny Cooper’s 24 points and 18 rebounds powered St. Gregory (9-9, 5-2) in the Chicago Prep.
Lisle 72, Wilmington 37: Damein Glover scored 23 points and Chris Sally added 11 points and 13 rebounds as Lisle (14-6, 10-0) remained unbeaten in the Interstate Eight.
Westmont 64, Evergreen Park 61: Evergreen Park (11-9) missed a three-pointer at the buzzer, allowing Westmont to hold on for its third victory in 17 tries. Peter Rahn led the winners with 17. Mike Czerwinski scored 23 for Evergreen Park.