The key to winning in the SICA South Silver these days seems to be entering the game as the lower-ranked team.
Such was the case again Friday night in Calumet City, where unranked Thornton Fractional North cruised past No. 19 Thornwood 60-44.
The Meteors (13-5, 3-1) took a 13-4 first-quarter advantage and never trailed the entire game.
“We showed we can play against ranked teams,” Meteors junior guard Lawrence Redmond said after leading his team with 17 points.
“We’re ready to play every game, and you have to be in this conference.”
Thornwood (11-3, 2-2) trailed 31-17 entering the third quarter but closed within 47-41 early in the fourth quarter.
But an 11-0 run by the Meteors put them back in control the rest of the way.
Redmond had six points during the run.
Junior Demond Watt added 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Meteors, while Landon Cox added 10 points.
Trey Blue scored 12 of his 18 points in the third quarter for the Thunderbirds, who have lost two in a row in conference play.
“This is the No. 1 conference in the state, and you have to be ready every game,” Watt said.
