Closing out games is what separates the average teams from the contenders. Evanston, while maybe not in the category of a contender, took a big first step in that direction Saturday night by hanging on for a 48-45 victory over visiting Oak Park.
“(This is) a young team,” Evanston coach Conte Stamas said. “We haven’t been in a situation like this. This game is a character-builder. It’s nice to be in a situation like this and win.”
Last season the Wildkits (6-1) would have found a way to lose a game like Saturday’s. They led for the entire game but only sank four of 12 free throws in the fourth quarter.
Down 47-45 with 5 seconds left, Oak Park turned the ball over on a traveling violation. Sheldon Cannon (12 points) then split two free throws for the final margin. Oak Park outscored its former Suburban League rival 14-8 in the final quarter but still came up short.
Karlton Mims led Evanston with 15 points. Sophomore Jon Cheeks had 10 points to lead the Huskies (3-1).
Glenbrook North 47, Fremd 45 (OT): Pete Carroll’s three-pointer with 12 seconds left proved the game-winner as Glenbrook North (6-2) knocked off No. 15 Fremd (6-1). Fremd’s Eddie Hebert (14 points) hit two free throws with 3 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.
Westinghouse 75, Addison Trail 51: No. 3 Westinghouse (7-0) led 44-20 at the half and cruised behind Andre Wiggins (28 points). Shawn Weeks scored 10 for Addison Trail (1-7).
Elgin 81, Streamwood 46: No. 4 Elgin (8-0, 3-0) used 22 points by Sean Harrington to roll in the Upstate Eight. Brent Gooden added 14 points and 11 rebounds and Marcus Smallwood had 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Maroons. Streamwood fell to 0-3 in league play.
Zion-Benton 57, Lake Forest 48: The ninth-ranked Zee-Bees (7-1, 2-1) got 23 points from Quiande Moore and 14 from Al Lainio to post the North Suburban victory.
St. Joseph 68, Holy Cross 48: Marlon London’s 20 points and Rob Walls’ 16 points and eight rebounds led No. 13 St. Joseph (4-2, 2-1) past Holy Cross (2-4, 0-3).
Leo 68, Loyola 48: David Thomas scored 20 points and had nine steals to lead No. 20 Leo (6-1, 3-1) in the Catholic League.
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Bay View (Wis.) 77, Stagg 65: Eric Young led Bay View (5-0) with 22 points. Joe Scott had 29 points for Stagg (5-3) in the non-conference matchup.
Benet 57, Marian Catholic 42: Bobby Gallivan’s 22 points paced Benet in the East Suburban Catholic victory. Marian (3-3, 2-1) was led by Jon Barlog’s 12 points.
Conant 56, St. Patrick 37: Kici Useini had 16 points and Mike Michna added 11 for Conant (3-3).
Luther North 69, Timothy Christian 63 (OT): Mike Suhajda and John Mendes each had 18 points and Darren Diaz added 14 for Luther North (3-3, 1-2).
Luther South 53, Illiana Christian 51: Luther South (4-2, 2-1) pulled out the Private School League victory with Jason Owens’ 16 points and Clifford Perry’s 14. Mike Natelborg led all scorers with 22 for Illiana (0-7, 0-3).
Marist 64, Joliet Catholic 55: Larry Schindler and Matt Meyer each scored 14 points to lead Marist (3-3, 1-2) in the Catholic League.
Nazareth 79, Walther Lutheran 34: Travon Davis scored 26 points to lead Nazareth (4-4, 3-1) in the Private School League.
New Berlin (Wis.) West 58, Grant 44: Brandon Borror scored 16 in defeat for Grant (2-5). New Berlin (2-2) was led by Ed Massey’s 16.
Palatine 32, York 27: Andy Bohn had 12 points for Palatine (6-1).
St. Charles 67, Larkin 49: Eric Dodson connected on six of 11 three-point shots en route to a 27-point outing for St. Charles (5-2, 2-1) in the Upstate Eight.
Hoffman Estates 68, Lane Tech 51: Joe Abruzzo scored eight of his game-high 14 points in the fourth quarter to lead Hoffman Estates (7-0). Frank Iovinelli had 12 off the bench, including a pair of three-point field goals, and Mike Wetter added 11. Hoffman Estates also outrebounded the Indians 32-22. For Lane Tech (2-4), Jeff Smith scored 11 points and Louis Baker 10.
St. Edward 76, Aurora Central Catholic 63: Eric Castro hit six three-pointers and scored 30 points and Jeff Hopkins added 27 to lead St. Edward (4-2, 3-0) in the Suburban Catholic.
St. Viator 63, Carmel 54: St. Viator (5-1, 2-0) prevailed in the East Suburban Catholic with Mike Howland’s 23 points and Mark Kerszka’s 17, including 15 on three-pointers. Carmel (2-5, 0-2) was sparked by Tom McMahon’s 22.
Westmont 72, Peotone 34: Rick Struck led Westmont (1-6) with 23 points.