advertisement

Cork, Hampshire dump Crystal Lake Central

Ryan Cork most likely slept well Tuesday night.

Playing all 32 minutes, Cork filled the stat sheet with 27 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals in leading Hampshire to a 77-61 Fox Valley Conference Fox Division boys basketball win over host Crystal Lake Central. It was the conference opener for the Whip-Purs (3-5, 1-0).

“Ryan is in great shape and is always ready to play 32 minutes,” said Hampshire coach Bob Barnett, “He is our 3-year starting point guard and our leader. He was outstanding in all areas. As the season goes on I need to get Ryan some rest. I don’t want to wear him down.”

Cork, who was 4-of-7 from 3-point range, scored 10 points in the pivotal fourth quarter as the Whip-Purs outscored the Tigers 26-13 in the final 8 minutes.

“I am always ready to play 32 minutes,” said Cork. “We have only 10 players so we are always moving and working hard in practice. I feel I am in good shape and I felt good and fresh in the fourth quarter.”

Barnett also got a huge lift off the bench from junior guard Drew Doran, who scored 15 points with 3 assists.

“When we were struggling in the first half and Drew came in with some energy and got us going,” said the Whip-Purs’ coach. “He did a great job of getting to the basket and made some big layups.”

Joining Cork and Doran in double digits for Hampshire was Matthew Bridges with 14 points and 9 rebounds.

Holding a tenuous 51-48 lead after 3 quarters, Hampshire seized control of the game in the fourth quarter.

It was Cork who gave the Whip-Purs some breathing room early in the fourth.

Nailing a 3-pointer to go along with a pair of layups, Cork scored 7 points as Hampshire started the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run to extend a 3-point lead to 10, 58-48, with 5:56 left in the contest.

Central climbed within 6 of the Whip-Purs, 61-55, on a putback by Jack Ortner with 3:35 remaining. The Tigers couldn’t get any closer.

Making 5-of-6 from the free throw line in the last minute including 3-of-3 from Cork, Hampshire was able to cruise to the win.

“We bounced back from a tough first quarter and played three good quarters,” said Barnett. “It was good way to start conference play.”

Ken Vesely led Central with 15 points.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.