Class 2A sectional final at Luther North
Records: Hales 13-16, Northridge Prep 23-6.
Halftime: Hales 33-22.
Summary: To say Hales struggled during the regular season would be an understatement. The Spartans did play a difficult schedule but they lost 16 of 25 games in the regular season while going 4-3 in the Catholic South. Friday night, they shot 23-for-44 and forced 18 turnovers to put away Northridge Prep. Hales jumped to a 21-14 lead after one quarter and never trailed. Senior Ken Rhymes led three starters in double figures with 13 points and nine rebounds. Next for Hales is Catholic League champ Seton Tuesday night in the Lewis University supersectional in Romeoville.
Top performers: Hales — Ken Rhymes 13 points 9 rebounds, Dominique Walls 13 points 8 rebounds, Jamie Adams 12 points. Northridge Prep — Robert Rey 17 points.
The bonus: Rhymes on facing his old school, Seton, for a berth in the state finals: “We were waiting for the state playoffs. It’s going to be a war, a hard-fought battle. It’s going to be emotional. I’m proud of the move I made going to Hales. They have treated me very well. I feel I made the right decision.”