If Sandburg’s defeating Thornton 45-36 Saturday is enough to raise some eyebrows, then the fact that the Eagles did it in the Wildcats’ gym qualifies as stunning.
Stunning, and yet another indication that Thornton’s domination in the south suburbs is over. The home defeat was the first suffered by Thornton since Rocky Hill took over as coach four years ago.
“Is it really?” said Sandburg coach Randy Voels. “The way things have been going, it’s just nice to get a win.”
Voels couldn’t have predicted a victory after prematurely ending practice Friday because his Eagles (4-1) kept making mistakes.
“It wasn’t a lack of effort,” Voels said. “After watching them throw the ball all over, I told them, `I’ve seen enough. Get out of here.’ “
Somehow, the Eagles got it together. John Cirrintano led a balanced attack with 12 points. Sandburg made the Wildcats (3-2) pay from the foul line, making 16 of 19, including hitting 15 in a row.
“We knew we were going to lose some games this year,” said Hill, whose team was led by Nate Williams’ 20 points. “The way we lost was tough for me. The unforced turnovers are what’s killing me right now.”
Peoria Manual 73, Proviso West 61: In Peoria, the four-time defending state champion Rams (5-0) needed a 20-5 run in the second quarter to take a 35-32 halftime lead. Frankie Williams’s 38 points led Manual. Jermaine Brown scored 23 for Proviso (1-4).
Maine West 77, Niles West 51: Alfredo Jiminez came off the bench and scored 16 of his 21 points in the first half to lead the No. 9 Warriors. He added seven rebounds and five assists. Niles West hit just of five of 24 shots in the first half. Derek Reich had 17 points and 12 rebounds for Niles West (3-3).
Buffalo Grove 60, Libertyville 43: No. 7 Buffalo Grove (4-2) recovered from Friday’s loss to Hoffman Estates behind Jason Wiertel’s 16 points and Jeff Siok’s 13. Jim Oboikowitch led Libertyville (2-3) with 12 points.
Dunbar 75, Dayton Dunbar 71: The Mighty Men (1-0) beat their Ohio rivals (0-1) as Kelvin Smallwood had 21 points.
Elgin Academy 54, Chicago Latin 49: John Matousek’s 16 points and Ryan Hurley’s 13 sparked Elgin Academy in the Independent School League. Rich Dickinson scored 13 points and Jake Levey 10 to lead Latin (3-2, 1-1).
Glenbrook North 87, Sullivan 60: Ryan McNamara (15 points) and Pete Carroll (12) led the Spartans (4-2). Warren Satchill had 16 for Sullivan.
Glenbrook South 76, Prospect 62: Justin Coons scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half to lead Glenbrook South (4-3). Clay Hamano added 20 points for the Titans.
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Luther North 67, St. Benedict 64: John Mendes (17 points) hit a three-pointer with 10 seconds left to lift Luther North. Alan Jacobs led the victors with 21 points.
Mundelein 75, Wauconda 64: Mundelein (4-0) got 22 points from Eric Levernier and 21 from Brett Serva in the victory over Wauconda (3-1). Wauconda’s Jack Lewandowski scored 39.
Nazareth 73, Chicago Christian 49: Phil Reed’s 21 points and seven rebounds led Nazareth (2-4, 1-1 Private School League).
Notre Dame 54, Lane 43: Kevin Clancy had 15 points and connected on three three-pointers to lead Notre Dame (4-1) in the non-conference matchup.
Oak Lawn 61, Fenton 53: Aaron Altenburg had 22 points and Jason Bjork added 11 and had eight rebounds to lead Oak Lawn (2-3).
Quigley 66, Yeshiva 35: Don Higgins scored 25 points to pace Quigley (2-4).
Thornwood 61, Rockford Guilford 58: Raji Terrell scored 14 of his 15 points in the third quarter to guide Thornwood (4-1) past Guilford (2-4).
University High 92, St. Gregory 69: Kareta Bennett had 29 points, including five three-pointers, and eight rebounds to lead University High (3-3). Justin Slaughter added 25 points.
Wheaton Academy 72, Walther Lutheran 69: Aaron Trost (32 points) hit a three-pointer with 7 seconds to go for Wheaton (2-3, 2-0 Private School League). Cornell Hemphill had 16 for Walther Lutheran (4-1, 1-1).
Williams Bay (Wis.) 57, Lake Forest Academy 56: Matt Dewar’s 30 points weren’t enough to lift Lake Forest Academy (0-4).