Dundee-Crown tops Crystal Lake South
Dundee-Crown took Crystal Lake South's best shot, got off the canvas and then produced a hard-fought victory.
Holding off the Gators' valiant second half rally, the visiting Chargers were able to post a 57-50 Fox Valley Conference Valley Division boys basketball win in Crystal Lake Tuesday night.
"We kept our poise and made our free throws down the stretch," said Dundee-Crown coach Lance Huber. "Our point of emphasis was to handle their pressure and we did. This was our best game from a decision-making standpoint. Our shot selection was good and we got the ball to the right people."
Leading 31-20 at halftime, D-C (6-15, 2-7) grabbed a commanding 16-point, 38-22 lead after a 3-pointer by Kiwaun Seals with 1;55 remaining in the third quarter.
The Gators wouldn't quit and ended the third quarter on a 14-3 rampage to slice the 41-36 heading into the fourth quarter.
During South's comeback run, Colin Wagner and Chris Mahoney each had 5 points including a 3-pointer and sophomore center Wes Buckner recorded a pair of putbacks as the Gators roared back to within striking distance.
South (14-7, 3-5) whittled the Charger lead to 2, 44-42, on a basket by Steve Thomas off a nifty pass from Wagner with 5:22 remaining.
The Gators couldn't get any closer as Seals made 9-of-10 free throws in the last 2:10 to seal the deal for the Chargers.
Seals paced D-C with 21 points, including 14-of-16 from the charity stripe.
"Coach stresses defense and taking good shots and we are doing things better in both those areas," said Seals. "We spaced the floor well tonight and we made our free throws when we had to. We are starting to play better and we are getting some wins."
Cordero Parson added 10 points for the Chargers while Nick Munson had with a pair of 3s in the first quarter.
Wagner led the Gators with 14 points and 4 assists.
"It was a weird game," said Gator coach Matt LePage. "They made some key shots and some key 3s and we missed a lot of shots. D-C got to the free throw line a lot and made their free throws down the stretch. I thought we had some very good looks but couldn't knock down enough shots."