WESTERN SPRINGS – Fans should expect a sellout crowd, much anticipation and plenty of emotion Friday for the second meeting between the Hinsdale Central and Lyons boys basketball teams.
With three West Suburban Silver games remaining, the longtime rivals could decide the conference championship at 7:30 p.m. at Lyons’ North campus in La Grange. Lyons’ vibrant student section plans to wear all-black as part of a “Black Sea” themed fundraiser.
In their first meeting on Jan. 9, host Hinsdale Central (17-5, 6-3) beat Lyons (18-5, 7-2) 66-57 to take over first in the conference. But since then, Red Devils’ 6-8 senior Matt Rafferty broke a bone in his right hand. Following that injury on Jan. 23, the Red Devils are 1-3 with three straight conference defeats.
The rematch presents a different challenge for 6-8 Lyons sophomore Connor Niego, the younger brother of leading scorer Harrison Niego. Connor Niego had eight points – all in the second half – and six rebounds in his varsity debut against Hinsdale Central.
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“They are a great team,” Connor Niego said. “With or without Matt Rafferty, they should be fantastic.”
Harrison Niego has never defeated Hinsdale Central in his three varsity seasons. He scored 20 points, with four 3-pointers, last month at Hinsdale Central, but went scoreless in the fourth quarter.
“They have good players and will be ready to step up when they need it,” said the senior point guard.
Without Rafferty, who averages 20.8 points per game, Hinsdale Central has lost to Oak Park-River Forest, 51-47; Glenbard West, 61-49; and Proviso West, 54-46.
“Matt is a terrific player. I’ve watched him with Harrison on the same AAU team. He can do it all, on the perimeter or he’s great inside,” Connor Niego said. “With him out, I’m expecting a competitive game.”
Lyons is coming off a 66-57 nonconference win against Prospect Saturday behind Harrison Niego’s 22 points and 19 points from Jaquan Phipps. In the 52-43 loss to OPRF Friday night, Harrison and Connor Niego each scored 12 points.
While the Red Devils are hoping to win their third consecutive conference title, Lyons’ last championship was in 2011.
@geomwilcox