Malik Osborne was in a zone.
Crete-Monee couldn’t quite figure out its way around one.
The Warriors’ hot streak came to a halt Friday night as Osborne’s shooting and Rich South’s zone defense were key factors in the Stars’ 62-35 Southland Conference upset of Crete-Monee in Richton Park.
Osborne, a 6-foot-5 senior transfer from Marian Catholic, scored a game-high 16 points. Trenton Sudduth had eight points and 11 rebounds and the Stars held emerging junior Dwayne Rose to seven points.
Rich South (9-7, 3-2) snapped the Warriors’ six-game winning streak and handed Crete-Monee (13-5, 4-1) its first conference loss.
“We started off slow during the year, figuring out how we’re going to play with a lot of young guys,” Rich South coach Scot Ritter said. “We’re just going to get better, I think. I hope we will be able to learn how to deal with this win, hope we don’t get satisfied and not continue to take steps forward.”
Jeremiah Matthews led Crete-Monee with 12 points. He kept the Warriors close for a while, with his 3-pointer to open the second half cutting Rich South’s lead to 23-22.
The Stars proceeded to score the next 19 points as Crete-Monee struggled with the different formations Rich South’s zone was taking.
“Going around the school a lot of people were talking about how good Crete was,” Osborne said. “And I know they’re a good team, but that kind of fueled me because a lot of people said we weren’t up to the challenge.
“I wanted to put it to the test.”
De La Salle 57, St. Ignatius 56: Andre Raiford (19 points) scored on a putback with 9.9 seconds left to boost De La Salle (13-5, 4-2 Catholic North).
Marist 71, Nazareth 43: Chamar Hawkins put in 24 points and Maurice Commander netted 15 for Marist (16-3, 3-1 ESCC).
Brother Rice 74, Bishop McNamara 67: Josh Niego (26 points) and Mike Shepski (22) paced Brother Rice (12-8, 4-2 Catholic South).
Hillcrest 58, T.F. South 49: Marcus Garrett’s 14 points sparked Hillcrest (14-4, 8-0 SSC Blue).
Seton 63, Leo 52: Javon Freeman registered 24 points and RaShaad Williams had 18 for Seton (15-4, 5-1 Catholic South).
Oak Lawn 82, Evergreen Park 52: Othman Othman (9 rebounds, 6 steals) poured in 28 points and Rashad Johnson (5 steals) scored 24 for Oak Lawn (6-12, 2-5 SSC Red).
St. Laurence 72, St. Francis de Sales 65 (OT): Brett Risley (24 points) and Justin Wierzgac (18) powered St. Laurence (8-10, 3-3 Catholic South).
Homewood-Flossmoor 52, Lockport 46: Kendric Pryor (20 points) propelled H-F (12-4, 5-1 SWSC Blue).
Lemont 73, Reavis 36: P.J. Pipes tossed in 27 points for Lemont (12-6, 5-2 SSC Blue).
Thornwood 92, Andrew 46: Kevin Jackson recorded 19 points and Drew Evans added 17 for Thornwood (8-9, 4-2 SWSC Red).
Oak Forest 56, Tinley Park 49: Marshaud Watkins’ 25 points steered Oak Forest (13-6, 6-2 SSC Blue).
Richards 55, Eisenhower 44: Jaylan Catledge (12 rebounds) racked up 24 points and Chris Bender (9 rebounds) tacked on 17 for Richards (10-9, 6-2 SSC Red).
More Top Picks Best Wheel Balancers For The Money
Beecher 54, Grant Park 41: Jarod Stolzenbach and Andrew Olszewski (13 points each) spurred Beecher (10-8, 6-1 RVC).
Argo 56, Shepard 50: Marcus Fry posted 14 points for Argo (10-8, 5-3 SSC Red).
Edwardsville 88, T.F. North 66: Tim Bankston Jr. had 15 points for T.F. North (13-3) in the Salem Invitational semifinal.
Girls Basketball
Argo 79, Oak Lawn 37: Chely Arreola (26 points) and Tadriana Heard (11 points, 11 rebounds) starred for Argo (14-7, 7-2 SSC Red).
Men’s Volleyball
Lewis 25-25-25, Charleston (S.C.) 16-16-17: Trevor Weiskircher, Julian Moses and Mitch Perinar contributed six kills apiece for Lewis (4-3).
Benedictine Mesa (Ariz.) 25-25-25, Trinity Christian 19-23-17: Nick Costa (8 kills, 7 digs) led Trinity Christian (0-2).
Benedictine Mesa (Ariz.) 25-25-25, St. Xavier 14-15-22: Sean Barry had eight kills for St. Xavier (0-2).
Mike Helfgot is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown. Freelance writer Josh Krockey contributed to this story.