There were few smiles as Hales Franciscan players slowly walked off the court following a 64-62 victory Saturday over Rock Falls at the Lisle Shootout.
The Spartans were still brooding over a game already 24 hours past–Friday’s 59-55 setback at St. Ignatius.
“I’ll take the win after being beaten [Friday] by Ignatius,” said interim Hales coach Derrel Sanders, whose team is now 7-2. “But we’ve got some things we’ve got to straighten out [on offense and defense].”
The 20-team shootout paired Chicago-area and Downstate small schools and drew seven of Class A’s top teams, including the top-ranked and defending state champ Spartans.
The Hales-Rock Falls match was the day’s closest because of the Spartans’ inconsistency and the deadly distance shooting by Rockets guard Isaiah Johnson (29 points).
Rock Falls (7-1) trailed 63-62 after a Johnson three with 10 seconds to play. But they couldn’t get the ball downcourt for a final try after a free throw by Hales’ Jerod Haynes.
Senior guard Jimmy WIlliams tallied a game-high 19 points as North Lawndale Prep (10-0) pounded Rock Island Alleman 62-47.
Second-ranked Leo (6-2) pulled away late to claim a 74-68 victory over Chrisman (8-3). Senior guard Alan Downing (19 points) converted back-to-back steals into four points over a 10-second span in the final minute to extend the Lions’ lead to 72-66.
Host Lisle, ranked 14th in Class A, battled Bureau Valley in the nightcap.
In other games, Benj Petroelje scored 13 points to lead Timothy Christian (6-4) to a 49-43 win over Normal University High. . . . Peoria Christian (7-0) breezed to an 80-47 win over St. Francis de Sales (2-5) behind 19 points from guard Brandon Carlson. . . . Latin School topped Burlington Central 64-57 as Peter Davis and Robin Bester each scored 15 points. . . . Frank Torres tallied a team-high 12 points to lead Wheaton St. Francis to a 59-53 win over Byron. . . . Jordan Euler scored 21 points as Wheaton Academy (1-7) beat Burlington Central 59-53.
