In three years, Maine West’s Lucas Johnson repeatedly fell short in leading the Warriors past Glenbrook North. But Friday night in Des Plaines, he didn’t have to carry the burden alone. He had unheralded Brad Alesi to help him as Maine West triumphed over the visiting Spartans 48-46.
Alesi scored just 13 points but hit a three-pointer in the fourth quarter to cut Glenbrook North’s lead to one and added another with 1 minute 6 seconds left to give the Warriors (7-2, 2-0) a 46-44 advantage. The Central Suburban North victory ended Maine West’s seven-game losing streak against the Spartans (6-3, 1-1).
“I struggled with my three-point shot early in the season and didn’t have much confidence,” Alesi said. “But I’ve been shooting the ball well lately and felt real good in the pregame shootaround. I owe a lot to (point guard) Brian (Regan) for that last shot. He gave me a perfect pass.”
The Illinois-bound Johnson, who finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, iced the victory with two free throws with 25 seconds left to put the Warriors up 48-44. Glenbrook North’s Keith Carroll, who scored 17 points, missed a three-pointer at the buzzer.
Maine West’s Kevin Frey, a transfer from Mt. Carmel who is a newcomer to this league rivalry, was limited to just six points.
Downers Grove South 56, Willowbrook 31: Downers South (6-1, 3-0) rolled in the West Suburban Gold behind Orlando Wilson’s 14 points.
Maine South 76, Highland Park 46: Maine South (5-3, 1-1) opened the third quarter with a 16-2 run en route to the Central Suburban North victory. Eric Schmidt went 8 for 8 from the field, connecting on four three-pointers, on his way to 20 points. Judd Morgenstern led Highland Park (6-3, 1-1) with 11 points.
St. Benedict 76, Northridge Prep 62: St. Benedict (6-2, 3-1) prevailed in the Chicago Prep as Chamone Jones (22 points) was perfect for the day, connecting on all 10 of his field-goal attempts and two free throws.
St. Francis de Sales 65, Loyola 47: Jerell Parker sparked De Sales (7-1, 4-1) in the Catholic League with 16 points. Peter Stanton scored 18 for Loyola (1-7, 1-3).
St. Ignatius 70, Bishop McNamara 48: St. Ignatius (4-2, 4-1) was victorious in the Catholic League behind Justin Naughton’s 21 points and Matt Campbell’s 18, including 12 on three-pointers. Brett Meyer had 16 points for McNamara (1-8, 1-4).
Nazareth 76, Luther North 57: Travon Davis’ 31 points and Nick DiForti’s 16 paced Nazareth (5-4, 4-1) in the Private School League. Luther North is 4-4, 1-3.
Buffalo Grove 48, Palatine 41: Buffalo Grove (6-2, 2-0) had a 24-2 run midway through the game and then hung on for the Mid-Suburban North triumph. The Bison were led by Jason Wiertel’s 18 points and Jeff Siok’s 16, 12 of which came on three-pointers. Mike Featherly scored 11 for Palatine (6-2, 1-1).
Leyden 73, Morton 62: Ryan Parks and Brian Quinlan each scored 18 and Adam Rose added 16 to give Leyden (3-5, 3-0) the West Suburban Gold victory. Larry Ray scored 23 and Mike Bills 19 for Morton (2-5, 0-3).
Glenbard South 68, Plainfield 58: Glenbard South (5-2, 3-0) won in the Suburban Prairie Red behind Larry Wilson’s 21 points. Kevin Sepulveda had 18 for Plainfield (3-4, 1-2).
Grayslake 62, Dundee-Crown 50: Grayslake (4-4, 4-1) jumped to a 22-8 lead and held on in the Fox Valley. Alex Frank’s 14 points led four scorers in double figures for the victors.
Crystal Lake Central 70, Lake Zurich 63: In the Fox Valley, Luke Mueller totaled 19 points, six assists and five steals to lead five scorers in double figures for Crystal Lake (6-2, 5-0). Lake Zurich (5-3, 2-3) was led by A.C. Thomas (17 points).
Mt. Carmel 65, Providence 52: Bill Chura (15 points) and Mike Smellie (14) led Mt. Carmel (4-4, 3-2) in the Catholic League. Tavaras Hardy scored 16 for Providence.
Rolling Meadows 51, Conant 44: Rob Garnes scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half to help Rolling Meadows (5-2, 2-0) win in the Mid-Suburban South. Brian Costin had 15 and Russ Michna 14 for Conant (5-3, 1-1).
Round Lake 55, Wauconda 44: Jim Slaby’s 24 points led Wauconda (2-5). Jack Lewandowski led all scorers with 27 for Wauconda (4-5).
Rich Central 86, Crete-Monee 59: Rich Central (6-3, 2-0) took control of the SICA South game with a 26-14 run in the third quarter. B.J. Davis and D’Juan Surratt scored 23 apiece for the victors; Nick Smith led Crete-Monee (0-8, 0-2) with 16 points.
Libertyville 68, Stevenson 63: Jim Oboikowitch totaled 27 points and 14 rebounds to help Libertyville (5-3, 3-1) post the North Suburban victory. John Fetter scored 13 off the bench for Stevenson (3-5, 1-3).
Kankakee 44, Bradley-Bourbonnais 41 (OT): In the extra session, Ron Jones hit a three-pointer and Courtney Williams (16 points) hit two free throws to help Kankakee (2-7, 1-1) pull the SICA South upset over Bradley (6-2, 1-1).
Luther South 64, Walther Lutheran 54: In the Private School League, Luther South (6-2, 3-1) rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit with a 23-5 run in the third quarter. Clifford Perry led the way with 18 points, and Brandon Cade added 16, including eight in the decisive third. Jerome Wheeler (15 points) paced Walther (4-4, 1-1).
Burlington Central 58, Hampshire 30: In the Big Northern, Burlington Central (9-0, 2-0) stayed unbeaten behind Bill Hargrave (20 points) and Caleb Lamz (14).
Prospect 54, Elk Grove 46: Aaron Adams scored a career-high 25 points to spark Prospect (3-4, 1-1) in the Mid-Suburban South. Justin Penio’s 14 led Elk Grove (4-4, 0-2).
St. Edward 50, Immaculate Conception 24: Eric Castro paced the Green Wave (5-2, 4-0) with 18 points in the Suburban Catholic.
Ridgewood 57, Elmwood Park 43: Ridgewood (1-7, 1-1) scored the final 13 points of the game and held on for the Suburban Prairie Blue. Rafael Lizak led with 20 points. Mike Cibelli scored 16 for Elmwood Park (1-7, 0-2).
Argo 63, Reavis 58: In the SICA North, Marcus Mister led the Argonauts (6-2, 2-0) with 17 points. Bill Petreitis topped all scorers with 24 for Reavis (7-1, 1-1).
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Aurora Central Catholic 63, Marmion 61: Brad Hulke (27 points) made seven of nine free throws in the fourth quarter to help the Chargers (4-4, 2-2) prevail in the Suburban Catholic. Bill Rehberg’s 17 led Marmion (1-7, 1-3).
St. Francis 66, Marian Central Catholic 59: The Spartans (6-2, 4-0) won in the Suburban Catholic behind Ryan Hogan (17 points) and Pat O’Donnell (13). Bill Schaefer led all scorers with 21 for Marian.
Riverside-Brookfield 58, Westmont 52: Randy Ramsey scored 26 points, and Eric Bava chipped in with 14 as R-B (8-0, 3-0) kept rolling in the Suburban Prairie Blue. John Struck’s 18 paced Westmont (1-7, 0-3).
Lisle 43, Wilmington 42: Matt Oresar scored six of his 13 points in the fourth quarter as Lisle (5-2, 2-2) prevailed in the Interstate Eight.
Coal City 71, Sandwich 58: Coal City (8-0, 4-0) jumped to a 23-8 first-quarter lead and cruised in the Interstate Eight. Matt Hines paced the Coalers with 21 points.
Hersey 63, Barrington 56: In the Mid-Suburban North, Mike Kulbeda scored 16 points, and David Grandziel came off the bench to add 12 for Hersey (4-4, 1-1). Todd Moser led all scorers with 19 for Barrington (4-4, 0-2).
Carmel 50, Holy Cross 48: Carmel (4-5, 1-3) held on in the East Suburban Catholic behind 16 points by Tommy McMahon and 11 from Nick Leider. Joe Dempsey had 15 for Holy Cross (2-5, 0-4).
Kaneland 61, Yorkville 59: P.J. Fleck scored 17 points as Kaneland held on in the Suburban Prairie White.
Sandburg 45, Lockport 42: John Cirrintano scored 15 points and Shane O’Donoghue 10 to boost Sandburg (6-2, 1-1) in the SICA West. Vince Hamilton had 19 for Lockport (6-2, 0-2).
Oswego 72, Batavia 67: Kent Shaw scored 15 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, when Oswego outscored Batavia 29-12 to pull out the Suburban Prairie Red victory. Batavia is 3-5, 2-2.
Aurora Christian 80, Somonauk 56: Jason Collins’ 19 points sparked Aurora (3-4). Eric Anderson scored 20 in defeat.
Lemont 51, Evergreen Park 49: Doug Herzing’s basket off an offensive rebound with 9 seconds left gave Lemont (5-2, 3-0) the Suburban Prairie Blue victory. Herzing scored 11 points and Matt Frazier 13 for the Injuns. Dave Sillas had 13 for Evergreen Park (3-5, 2-1).
Lemont 51, Evergreen Park 49: Doug Herzing’s basket off an offensive rebound with 9 seconds left gave Lemont (5-2, 3-0) the Suburban Prairie Blue victory. Herzing scored 11 points and Matt Frazier 13 for the Injuns. Dave Sillas had 13 for Evergreen Park (3-5, 2-1).
Serena 107, LaMoille 59: In the Little 10, Pete Stegman’s 17 points led six players in double figures for Serena (6-2, 2-1).
Plano 83, Dwight 42: Brad Korn’s 20 points led four players in double figures for Plano (6-3, 4-0) in the Interstate Eight.
Momence 74, Donovan 47: Jon Sikma’s 24 points helped Momence (6-0, 5-0) cruise in the River Valley. Donovan is 3-6, 2-3.
Tinley Park 56, Thornton Fractional North 52: Tinley Park (7-4, 3-0) won in the SICA Central behind Jonathan Phillips’ 21 points. Mike Lewis’ 20 points led T.F. North (6-3, 2-1).
Marian Catholic 67, Joliet Catholic 46: Jon Barlog’s 18 points and Marty Majda’s 16 carried Marian (4-3, 3-1) in the East Suburban Catholic. The Spartans held Joliet Catholic’s Scott Erickson to just 12 points. The Hilltoppers fell to 1-3 in league play.
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More preps on the Internet
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