Hinsdale Central dug itself into a couple big holes against West Aurora in the Class 4A East Aurora Sectional championship Friday night.
The Red Devils climbed out both times, but couldn’t make it over the edge and fell to the Blackhawks 60-55.
“Two chances we could have just folded up shop,” Hinsdale Central coach Nick Latorre said. “I was really proud of our kids to fight through that two different times.”
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West Aurora (22-8) led 29-16 in the second quarter before Hinsdale Central (24-7) rattled off 13 straight points to tie it up.
The Blackhawks built another double-digit advantage and were ahead 50-36 with 5 minutes, 21 seconds to play in the fourth. This time the Red Devils pulled within 51-50 after a 3-pointer by Jordan Bradshaw with 1:43 left, but West Aurora was able to hang on.
Red Devils’ 6-foot-8 star forward Matt Rafferty finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds, one game after scoring a career-high 40 points in the 88-67 semi-final win over Metea Valley.
Illinois State recruit Roland Griffin denied Rafferty from getting looks from 3-point range and when Hinsdale Central fed Rafferty the ball down low, the Blackhawks sent plenty of help.
“They doubled-teamed me and I was able to kick it out, but they recovered quickly,” Rafferty said.
Griffin had a big night on offense, too, scoring 31 points on 11-for-16 shooting.
Forward George Kiernan led Hinsdale Central with 18 points while Thomas Ives (12) and Bradshaw (11) were among the four Red Devils who reached double-figures.
Rob Valentin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.