Downers Grove North didn’t show any ill effects while playing its third game this week at the Elgin tournament.
Especially at the free-throw line, where the No. 9 Trojans shot 28-of-31 in a 61-54 semifinal victory over Hoffman Estates on Friday night.
Kyle Kleckner topped Downers North (12-0) with 20 points, including seven key points in a 13-2 run late in the third quarter to put the Trojans up 46-32. Hoffman Estates tried to rally, but the Trojans’ second-half foul-shooting efficiency (19-of-20) put the game away.
“The kids showed a lot of poise and toughness, particularly at the free-throw line,” Downers North coach Steve Joslyn said. “They’re in pretty good shape and they’re able to withstand a lot of the fatigue and emotional pressure.”
Andy Sigerich added 13 points for Downers North, which takes on No. 19 St. Patrick in Saturday’s championship game.
Hoffman Estates (6-4) led 17-13 midway through the second quarter before Downers North went on a 14-2 run to close out the first half with a 27-19 advantage
Josh Stevenson’s 17 points led Hoffman.
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St. Patrick (9-1) advanced to the title game with a 62-56 victory over Wheaton North. David Rivera scored 17 points and Anthony Scala added 16 to lead St. Patrick.
Lawrence Leftwich, who had 11 points, had put Wheaton North ahead 50-47 with two consecutive threes, but the Shamrocks went on a 6-0 run of their own to recapture the lead for good. Mike Dunn scored 17 points for Wheaton North (8-2).
In other action at Elgin, Charlie Tomlin tallied 14 points and seven steals as Elgin (8-4) downed Rockton Hononegah 57-53.
Glenbrook South nipped Hubbard 59-56 as Jetter Gibson scored 21 points.
Farragut 85, St. Louis Vashon 84 (OT): Elliott Poole scored 25 points as the 11th-ranked Admirals (2-1) knocked off the top-ranked team in the St. Louis area. Jimmy McKinney had 22 points for Vashon (6-1).
Lyons Township 60, Argo 41: Cortez Forte tallied 19 points, seven rebounds and four blocks as the 18th-ranked Lions (8-1) cruised. A.J. Allodi scored 15 points and made four three-pointers for Lyons.
Buffalo Grove 52, York 49: Steve Jerentina put in 17 points to give Buffalo Grove (4-5) the edge in a non-conference game.
Collins tournament: Jermain Johnson scored 20 points as Collins (8-4) rolled past South Shore 64-41. . . . Benjamin Robinson’s 15 points led DuSable (3-6) past Harper 61-45.
DeKalb tournament: Mark Shafer scored 22 points and made five three-pointers as Geneva (9-0) breezed past Woodstock 88-65. David Steffens had 24 points for Woodstock (3-7). . . . DeKalb (10-0) buried Streator 64-41 as Chad Pecka tallied 17 points.
Glenbrook North 61, Deerfield 39: Sebastian Closowiak had 24 points as the Spartans (4-6, 1-2) rolled in the Central Suburban North. Ross Hogan led Deerfield (3-4, 2-1) with 15 points.
Gordon Tech 69, St. Laurence 66: Joe Soroko led Gordon Tech with 23 points as the Rams held on in the Catholic League win. Marcus Stevenson scored a game-high 25 points for St. Laurence.
Jacobs tournament: Lake Forest (9-1) edged Cary-Grove 51-46 behind Michael Liddy’s 26 points. . . . Steve Pucinski scored 17 points and Graham Beatty added 15 as Mundelein (9-2) downed Huntley 63-53. Jason Kalsow had 14 points for Huntley (8-2). . . . Eric McDonald poured in 31 points and Terry Evans added 17 points, including six in overtime as Elk Grove (5-5) downed Crystal Lake South 80-70. Rob Niemic’s 22 points led Crystal Lake South (7-5) . . . Matt Glees scored 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter as Vernon Hills (5-7) held off Crystal Lake Central 65-54. . . . Matt Bruksch’s 22 points led Prairie Ridge (3-7) past Machesney Park Harlem 55-53. . . . Donte Frazier scored 19 points as Bartlett (7-4) defeated Round Lake 63-45. . . . Stu Rose scored 13 points as Barrington (7-3) defeated Belvidere 58-47. . . . Brandon Holleran had 20 points as Jacobs (4-7) jumped out to a 25-7 lead and rolled to a 66-36 victory over Johnsburg.
Leo 72, St. Francis de Sales 39: Junior Chris Burras collected 26 points, 16 rebounds and four steals for Leo (8-2, 4-1) in the Catholic League South rout. Burras scored 12 points in a 20-2 first-quarter run that put the game away early.
St. Ignatius 61, Bishop McNamara 52: Shaun Gallagher poured in 36 points and Matt Weber added 15 for the Wolfpack (4-6, 1-4) in the Catholic League.
Taft tournament: Brandon Tabb led five players in double figures with 15 points and eight rebounds as Gage Park (9-3) defeated Bogan 65-50. Jermaine Govan added 13 points as the Owls went 5-0 in the tournament and won the title.
Waubonsie Valley tournament: Elijah Collins tallied 17 points and nine rebounds and Dameon Mason had 12 points to pace Waubonsie Valley (8-3) in a 66-50 defeat of Glenbard North. . . . Chris Miller had 13 points and Jamal Davis tallied 11 points and 10 rebounds as Oswego (4-6) edged Marmion 52-47. Andy Madden’s 10 points for Marmion (2-9). . . . Scott Ripley scored 12 points as Glenbard South (2-8) ripped Illinois Math and Science 74-35. . . . Ryan Edwards, Andy Norton and Richie Ramms each scored 11 points as Glenbard West (4-6) routed West Chicago 59-31.