Chicago Christian is on a roll.
After dropping its season opener to Marist, the Knights ripped off their seventh straight win with a wild 50-44 victory Friday over Metro Suburban East rival Illiana Christian.
“They’re one of the better teams in our conference, and they’re our biggest rivals by far, so it’s huge emotionally and record-wise,” Knights forward Trevor Wolterink said.
Wolterink scored 15 points — including eight in the fourth quarter — and grabbed six rebounds in front of a raucous crowd in Lansing. Two of his rebounds came following missed free throws in the final 39 seconds to give the Knights extra possessions.
It was a balanced effort for Chicago Christian (7-1, 3-0). Jack Ellison added 11 points, Daylon Washington nine and Malik Parker eight. Jay Spencer chipped in 10 rebounds and three blocks.
“I don’t think any one of us is good enough to win by ourselves,” Wolterink said.
Matthew Zandstra paced Illiana Christian (6-3, 1-1) with 11 points. Chandler Kimmel and Jack Hillegonds had nine points apiece. Sam Vree contributed a game-high 14 rebounds.
All five Chicago Christian starters scored in the fourth. The balance on offense is relatively new for coach Kevin Pittman.
“In the past, we’ve always had one guy that could score and we would try to develop another scorer,” Pittman said. “Now, if you shut down one, my other four can score. We’re multidimensional.”
Pittman pointed out that aggression played a major role in the second half. The Knights refused to settle for jumpers, instead choosing to attack the rim.
Washington showed that to be true on perhaps the biggest play of the game. With Chicago Christian holding a one-point lead, Washington forced a steal, raced the length of the court and finished a contested layup with his left hand for a 44-41 advantage with 90 seconds left.
“I was just focused on playing solid defense and not letting them shoot any open threes,” said Washington, a four-year varsity player. “But then I played the passing lane, stole the ball, and all I saw was the rim.”
Zandstra buried a 3-pointer with 22 seconds left to cut Chicago Christian’s lead 46-44, but the Knights were able to finish off Illiana from the free-throw line. Chicago Christian went 10-for-15 from the line in the fourth.
“This is one of the sweeter wins,” Washington said. “It’s going to be another sweet win when we beat them at our house.”
Logan Malloy is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.
