When Troy Burrows of IC Catholic and Joey Davidson of Timothy Christian traded 3-pointers to open their game on Friday, Jan. 22, it fueled expectations for a shootout between each team’s leading scorer.
But a Metro Suburban crossover showdown between Burrows, a senior guard, and Davidson, a junior forward, never materialized.
Burrows and Davidson struggled on offense, so the duo found other ways to contribute as IC (11-8) won the Elmhurst battle, 67-60.
Burrows, who scored a season-high 28 points in an overtime loss to Aurora Central on Jan. 8, was limited to six points on a pair of 3-pointers in the first half. He took only one shot in the second half, missing a 3-point attempt in the fourth quarter.
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Even the best shooters can have an off night.
“Troy can play. He’s one of the best players I’ve ever had as a coach on the open floor with his explosiveness,” IC coach TJ Tyrrell said. “When you kick it out, he’s at his best. He can drill the threes.”
Burrows hit a 3-pointer 24 seconds into the contest off an assist from Jordan Rowell to give IC Catholic the initial basket. Davidson answered 35 seconds later to tie the game, but missed his final five 3-point attempts for Timothy (6-10).
Davidson realizes that part of the responsibility of being a scoring leader is finding other ways to help when his touch goes sour..
“It’s a little frustrating, but you have to go out there and help in other areas of the game,” he said.
Trayvon Williams, a 5-foot-4 junior guard, had a season-high 16 points and went 8-for-8 at the line. He sparked a 13-2 run for the Trojans in the fourth quarter with back-to-back three-point plays.
Davidson finished with 12 points on 5-for-13 shooting. He was held under 10 points in his last game, a 66-41 loss to Glenbard South Jan. 20, but there is no denying his impact as the Trojans’ leading scorer.
He owns season-highs of 25 points in a win over Lisle and in a loss to Waubonsie Valley at York’s Tosh Holiday Classic.
“Joey has been a rock for us this year. (Sometimes) other guys have to step up,” Timothy coach Jack LeGrand said. “Joey is methodical. He’s one of the guys that just gets it done. They did a great job defensively on him. I’m proud so much more when he is not on. He provides leadership.”
When Davidson can’t find a consistent shot, the Villa Park resident tries to get creative. He said he turns to playing the post in order to try to get open layups.
“I have the mindset that when I see the ball go through the basket, that will help (my outside shooting),” Davidson said.
Game notes
* Timothy Christian went on a 13-2 run to tie the game at 55-all with 3 minutes, 38 seconds to play. But the visiting Trojans did not hit a basket in the final 1:29 and went scoreless in the last 42.7 seconds.
*Junior Austin Reed led IC with 22 points. While he scored just two points in the fourth quarter on a pair of free throws, Reed had 15 points in the first half, including 10 in the first quarter.
*IC senior Will Lyles (16 points) scored on a steal and a dunk to give the Knights a 53-42 lead to begin the fourth quarter.
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