Sandburg and Marian Catholic have learned over the years that there’s no place like Hillcrest for the holidays.
The 27th Hillcrest Holiday Classic tournament provided plenty of yuletide cheer for No. 11 Marian Catholic as the Spartans defeated Sandburg 59-50 Friday night for the championship. Marian (14-2) has won five straight Hillcrest titles, the last three over Sandburg (11-5).
“It feels great to continue the legacy,” said Marian forward Katy Clark, the tournament’s MVP. “We wanted it more than they did.”
Guards Kaila Turner and Kathlyn McClain led the Spartans with 14 each.
Center Christine Walczak led Sandburg with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Jacqie Storm had 12 points, and Megan Prendergast 10 for the Eagles.
In the third-place game, No. 13 Marist (15-2) built a 27-17 halftime lead and held on for a 52-44 win over No. 18 Thornwood (11-3). Guard Kelsey James led Marist with 22 points.
Tim Tierney.
Lisle TOURNAMENT
Patterson jumper leads Lisle
Melissa Patterson (6 points) hit the game-winning jump shot with 12 seconds remaining in overtime to lift Lisle over Prairie Central 50-48.
Angela Payne led the Lions (10-5) in scoring with 15 points and Maggie Brennan added 8 points and 8 rebounds.
“We got scattered, but we came together at the end,” Payne said.
Jara Bachtold had 24 points and five rebounds for Prairie Central (10-6).
Catherine Culligan had 15 points to lead St. Francis over Rock Falls 49-44 for third place. Molly O’Toole and Ashley Phillips added 10 points apiece for the Spartans (12-5).
Public League Tournament
Lawrence, Crane claim title
Lenekia Lawrence had 23 points to lead No. 17 Crane to a 66-42 victory over Simeon in the title game held at Simeon.
Crane (11-1) started the game with a 7-0 run for early control. With a 17-14 second-quarter lead, the Cougars went on an 8-0 run to put the game out of reach.
More Top Picks Best Jacobs Ladder Machines For Home Gyms
Kenyatta Shelton added 17 points, 22 rebounds, seven assists and five blocks for Crane, while Jerita Gibson led Simeon (5-2) with 10 points and five rebounds.
Boys
STATE FARM CLASSIC
Thornwood’s Blue rings true
Trey Blue had 23 points, including 14 in the first quarter, to lead Thornwood to a 42-33 championship win over Rockton Hononegah in Bloomington.
Hononegah (10-3) jumped to an early 2-0 lead, but Blue went on an 11-0 run by himself for the Thunderbirds (10-1).
Lemont Tournament
MVP Capocci lifts Glenbard E.
Tournament MVP Mike Capocci had 19 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals as Glenbard East defeated Lisle 77-46 for the championship.
The Rams (10-1) started the game on a 10-0 run and held Lisle scoreless through the first three minutes of the game. Brandon Streets added 13 points for Glenbard East.
Dan Wenclawski and Shamon Cherry had 10 points apiece for the Lions (9-4).
Marek Kowalewski had 24 points and Julian Ibarra had 16 as Reavis (11-2) defeated Providence 69-64 for third place.
Wheeling Tournament
Ramblers steal title in last :10
Joe Suhey’s two layups in the last 10 seconds gave Loyola a 56-53 championship win over Libertyville.
Suhey and Jeff Jordan had 14 points apiece to pace the No. 15 Ramblers (13-1).
Matt Hogan had 11 points to lead Libertyville (7-4).
Lake Park (8-5) utilized a 22-2 run to take a 51-33 lead for an eventual 62-53 victory over Naperville Central for third place. Mike Belleto had 22 for Lake Park.