Lyons boys basketball coach Tom Sloan started three of his four seniors for their final home game of the regular season.
While it was a different experience for two Lions, senior guard Cawone Hester earned his spot in the starting lineup earlier this season.
Hester scored five points and had five rebounds on Friday, Feb. 12, in a 65-49 West Suburban Silver loss to Hinsdale Central in LaGrange. Sloan said he likes what he has seen from the 6-foot-1, two-year varsity player.
“He has the ability to put the ball in the basket,” Sloan said. “I like his athleticism. We have to find opportunities for him (to score) on the floor.”
Friday night’s crowd featured standing-room only for Senior Night and the annual Blackout fundraiser.
Lyons (8-14, 2-9) defeated Hinsdale Central (12-10, 5-4) 59-53 in overtime on Jan. 8 in their first meeting. In that game, Hester scored 15 points, including four in overtime, and was Lyons’ second leading scorer.
Hester made two baskets in the rematch with the Red Devils, who outscored Lyons 20-7 in the third quarter to take a 51-38 lead. Hester hit his only 3-pointer for the first basket of the fourth quarter.
“Last year’s crowds were (more intense) than this year,” said Hester, a Countryside resident. “This was a great experience. I learned a lot.”
In his first career star on Dec. 29, Hester scored a career-high 22 points, including three 3-pointers, in Lyons’ 61-58 win over Glenbard East at York’s Tosh Holiday Classic. That was Lyons’ 11th game of the season.
“I was a little nervous before (starting) my first game,” Hester said. “I gained confidence during the game. My teammates helped me a lot.”
Another of Hester’s best games was Jan.16 in a 13-point performance during a 60-45 win over Lincoln-Way East.
He is one of four seniors on Lyons. Classmates Nolan Delaney and Jack Drogosz started against Hinsdale Central and combined for six points. Kyle Hornacek came off the bench and did not score.
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They will get to play at least one more home game next month when Lyons hosts a Class 4A regional game.
Twitter @geomwilcox