Farragut was looking for a lift in confidence, something it could build on for the rest of the Public Red West campaign after posting subpar results during the Proviso West and Public League tournaments over the holidays.
The problem was, No. 2 Crane stood in its way.
But freshman Christopher Singletary and a two-minute defensive stand made all the difference in the crucial fourth quarter as host Farragut tarnished Crane’s undefeated season with a 62-52 upset victory Friday evening.
“Winning the Red West means everything to us,” Farragut coach William Nelson said. “We put the holiday [tournaments] behind us, and we just had to get ready for the conference race and the city playoffs. Winning games like this is what it’s all about. We stepped up to the challenge tonight.”
The quandary for Farragut (6-3, 3-0) was to slow down Crane big man Florentino Valencia. Ollie Bailey (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Emmanuel Little (10 points, seven rebounds) admirably contained him to just nine points through three quarters, at which point Farragut led 42-38.
But after Crane trailed 49-45 with 3 minutes 11 seconds left, Valencia scored six straight points in the paint in less than a minute to give the Cougars a 51-49 lead with 2:13 to play.
That’s when Singletary showed the poise of a senior, hauling down key offensive rebounds, picking up steals and hitting free throws. Singletary scored eight of his 13 points in the final two minutes, including a big putback off a missed free throw that gave the Admirals a 56-51 lead with 57 seconds left.
Crane (9-1, 2-1) managed just a free throw by Carl Marshall after Valencia (10 rebounds) had given the Cougars the lead. Crane sealed its own fate by committing two turnovers and missing a short jumper in the final minute. The Cougars made just 13-of-28 free throws.
“We haven’t had a good solid team effort for a while now,” said Singletary, who picked up seven assists and four steals. “We told ourselves that we had to play together and not worry about the stats.”
Henry Del Valle.
Up next for Crane: Saturday at home vs. Julian.
1. Young
If top-ranked Young was still in shock after losing its first game of the season earlier this week, it hardly showed in a 67-55 win over host Westinghouse.
Dewitt Scott’s 22 points and Sterling Williams’ 21 carried the Dolphins offensively in the Public League Red West contest. The two combined to make 18-of-19 free throws.
“This was a game we really wanted,” Young coach Ron Branch said. “They beat us four times last year, and this victory was important for the confidence of our players.”
Westinghouse (7-5, 2-1) took an early 7-1 lead, but Young (10-1, 2-1), which lost Wednesday to Lincoln Park, responded with two consecutive three-pointers to tie the game.
The momentum then shifted to the Dolphins, who held an 18-11 first-quarter advantage, and the lead continued to grow. The Warriors, who made only 8-of-26 free throws, cut a 12-point third-quarter deficit in half but could get no closer.
DeAndre Thomas led the Warriors with 15 points.
Mike Duffin.
Up next: Saturday vs. St. Louis Gateway Tech at the Highland (Ill.) Shootout.
3. West Aurora
Dameon Mason had 21 points as the Blackhawks beat Naperville North 64-40 in the DuPage Valley. See story, Back Page.
Up next: Saturday at Wheaton Warrenville South.
7. Hales Franciscan
Nate Minnoy scored 25 points as the Spartans (13-2, 4-2) slipped past No. 17 St. Laurence 73-71 in Catholic League play. See story, Back Page.
Up next: Saturday at home vs. Peoria Richwoods.
10. Bloom
Kevin Howard scored 16 points and Darnell Howard added 13 points as the Trojans (13-2, 3-0) defeated Thornton 55-48 in the SICA East. Robert Bush had 17 points, including three three-pointers, and seven rebounds for Thornton (6-6, 1-2), which led by as many five in the first half.
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Up next: Saturday at home vs. Thornton Fractional North.
11. Sandburg
Brian Lee scored 11 points as the Eagles (11-3, 3-0) rolled past Lincoln-Way Central 56-37 in the SICA West.
Up next: Tuesday at No. 18 Brother Rice.
12. Hoffman Estates
Zach Pancratz scored 22 points as Schaumburg defeated Hoffman Estates 70-56 in the Mid-Suburban West. See story, Back Page.
Up next: Saturday at home vs. Stevenson.
13. St. Patrick
St. Patrick built an 18-point halftime lead, then hung on to defeat Notre Dame 58-48 and remain undefeated in East Suburban Catholic play.
The Shamrocks (11-2, 6-0) used a 13-2 first-quarter run and a 14-4 second-quarter spurt to lead 35-17 at halftime. But the resilient Dons (11-4, 5-1) made it a two-point game at 42-40 with 5:41 left on one of Matt Patek’s three fourth-quarter three-pointers. He finished with 18, while Ibraham Badmus added 17 for the Dons. St. Patrick’s Matt Marino led all scorers with 25. Teammates David Kleinschmidt and Kevin Kloak each had nine.
“We’ve scouted St. Pat’s and they’ve played so well recently, and continued that tonight,” Notre Dame coach Dennis Zelasko said. “We came out miserably shooting-wise. We were anxious with our shots and didn’t hit anything.”
The Dons made a game of it in the third quarter, outscoring the Shamrocks 17-5 but trailing 40-34 heading into the final quarter. After the Dons cut it to 42-40, St. Pat’s went on an 8-0 run to ice the win.
“A big lead can be almost your worst nightmare, especially in a big rivalry game,” Shamrocks coach Mike Bailey said. “We just came out and played well.”
Ross Forman.
Up next: Saturday at Elk Grove.
14. Conant
Mike Hlavacek scored 13 points and Brian Donohue added 10 as the Cougars (12-2, 2-2) defeated Fremd 46-39 in the Mid-Suburban West. Conant went 11-of-12 from the line in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Matthew Monaghan’s 10 points led Fremd (7-6, 2-2).
Up next: Tuesday at home vs. Buffalo Grove.
15. Naperville North
The Huskies fell to No. 3 West Aurora 64-40 in the DuPage Valley. See story, Back Page.
Up next: Saturday at Wheaton North.
16. Libertyville
Ben Engstrom scored 15 points and Ryan Schwerman added 12 points and eight rebounds as the Wildcats (11-3, 3-1) downed Antioch 72-48 in the North Suburban Lake. Schwerman’s dunk midway through the second quarter damaged the basket and backboard. The game was moved to an auxiliary gym for the second half.
Up next: Friday at Lake Forest.
17. St. Laurence
The Vikings (13-2, 4-1) fell to No. 7 Hales Franciscan 73-71 in the Catholic League. See story, Back Page.
Up next: Friday at home vs. St. Francis de Sales.
18. Brother Rice
Steve Woerheide scored 12 of his game-high 25 points in the first quarter as the Crusaders (11-3, 4-1) knocked off De La Salle 63-50 in the Catholic League. Woerheide’s spurt in the opening quarter spurred Rice to a 24-4 lead. Gerald Harris’ 14 points led De La Salle (5-7, 1-4).
Up next: Tuesday at home vs. No. 11 Sandburg.
19. Downers Grove South
Trey Bowens scored 28 points on 10-of-15 from the field as the Mustangs (12-1, 3-0) defeated Hinsdale South 65-48 in the West Suburban Gold.
Up next: Saturday at No. 6 Proviso East.
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