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Robinson, Hoffman Estates savoring winning results

Jordan's Robinson's four years in the Hoffman Estates basketball program have not all been smooth sailing. In fact, at times, it's been a struggle of sorts.

Until now.

On Friday night, the senior forward, in his last Mid-Suburban West home game, hit three straight field goals in the third quarter to help break open a fairly close game and pave the way for the Hawks to post a 74-64 win over a game Barrington squad.

For Robinson, even with the team at 12-8 overall and 4-5 in the division with one game left, this season has meant everything.

"I'm really proud of the guys," he said, composed but still exhilarated after the win.

Hoffman Estates is hoping to be rewarded for its good showing this year when Class 4A regional pairings come out next week.

"We're trying to get a first-round bye," Robinson said. "That would be so great."

The win over a taller Barrington team that shoots pretty well was great, too. The Hawks survived Zach Bart's 7-of-7 shooting in the first half with a balanced attack that had no one with more than 6 points in the first two quarters.

Hoffman Estates pulled away from a 1-point halftime lead thanks to Robinson's three straight jumpers in the third quarter. Then he turned it over to super-soph point guard Jorden Thornton, who got the hot hand, nailed two second-half treys and had 18 of his game-high 24 points in the second half.

Robinson's jumper made it 55-46 to open the fourth and Thornton took it from there.

Throw in Trevor Pye's pesky defense on usually high-scoring Austin Madrzyk, plus the inside play of Brandon Hall and Sabren Burns, who combined for 17 points around the basket, and Hoffman cruised home in the fourth quarter.

"I thought we showed great character," said Hoffman Estates coach Luke Yanule, who is enjoying his first winning season with the Hawks. "I can't say more about how proud I am of everyone."

Barrington scorched the Hawks around the basket thanks to 6-foot-5 senior Bart and 6-8 sophomore Rapolas Ivanauskas (21 points), but had 15 turnovers to Hoffman's 7.

"Thornton was red hot," said Barrington coach Bryan Tucker. "You take him away and then they throw it in to Robinson. He was scoring.

Tucker said Barrington hit a dry spell in the third quarter - right as Robinson and Thornton got hot.

Staying hot is Hoffman Estates' goal, and Robinson says rebounding is one key. Another is just staying together and competing as a closely knit unit.

"We're just more of a family - we're close together," he said. "I'm proud to be part of the new basketball tradition at Hoffman Estates."

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