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Massura's game growing in stature for improving Lisle

Lisle junior Nick Massura's stature has increased.

As a sophomore last boys basketball season Massura played point guard, feeding a pair of since-graduated post players. At an even 6 feet Massura now stands among Lisle's tallest players and plays either small forward or shooting guard.

The latter spot came into play Jan. 9 when Massura scored a personal-high 28 points in Lisle's 66-58 Interstate Eight Conference victory over Sandwich.

"We got him the ball in spots that he likes," Lisle coach Mark LaScala said. "I think just about every one of those 3s were corner 3s. He likes the corner. He shot in rhythm with good arc."

Massura, eclipsing his previous high of 17 points last season against Westmont, was 6 of 9 from 3-point land. He also made 6 of 8 free throws and registered 3 assists, 2 rebounds.

"After he made two or three he started making them with guys in his face," LaScala said. "The last 3, their coach (former Seneca forward Brennan Callahan) was screaming to get on him. He was just hot."

Massura, Ryan Gillen and Mark McGrath have made their share of 3-point baskets - at least 7 in each of Lisle's wins. Now for the rest of the package.

"Our defense needs to get better," LaScala said. "We're not going to make 10 3s every night."

In fact on Tuesday, Lisle (5-10) needed just three 3s - by Massura, McGrath and sophomore Trevor Stitt - to earn its best win of the season, 53-51 over IC Catholic Prep.

Closing time:

In Naperville Central's Tuesday win over Waubonsie Valley, the Redhawks trailed after the opening bucket of the game ... and never trailed again.

The 51-40 victory was a pleasant change for the Redhawks (11-7), who at times this season built leads only to watch them disappear and become losses. They nearly pulled off upsets of Notre Dame and Hinsdale Central but both times allowed their opponents to pull away in the fourth quarter.

"It's kind of a similar story for us," said Naperville Central coach Pete Kramer. "Against Notre Dame we were up by six at the end of the third quarter, in total control of the game, and just kind of didn't finish the game."

Against experienced teams like Notre Dame and Hinsdale Central - teams with a combined 24-5 record - fourth-quarter lulls are not forgiving. But it's also helped the young Redhawks gain their own experience.

Naperville Central was thin on varsity minutes at the start of the season, but Tuesday's strong finish against Waubonsie Valley could be a good sign. The Redhawks grew up a little bit more.

"I think we're growing up and taking steps forward," Kramer said. "Even though we've lost some games late, we learned a lot about ourselves. We're getting better."

Something special:

With 13 wins in its first 15 games, Hinsdale Central's obviously in the midst of a special season.

How special? The Red Devils took part in an amazing scene last Friday when a sold-out crowd of more than 4,000 fans came out for a key West Suburban Silver showdown against Lyons Twp.

It's the second straight year the rivals packed the place with giant, rowdy students sections on both sides. This year's meeting in Hinsdale, a 56-47 Red Devils win, even went beyond last year's impressive scene at Lyons Twp.

"Every season's special, and every group is special," said Hinsdale Central coach Nick Latorre. "The goal is always to get this team to reach its full potential."

A stacked lineup led by 6-foot-7 Matt Rafferty has the potential to reach the state tournament in Peoria for the first time since back-to-back appearances in 1996 and 1997. It'd be a unique experience for the team, kind of like last Friday's atmosphere against the Lions.

And if the last two years were any indication, sold-out games between the rivals is becoming a tradition.

"It's a credit to our kids," Latorre said. "It's a great rivalry, and I think it's a respectful rivalry. It's good for the community and both schools. It's really neat."

Welcome to the club:

On Wednesday the Daily Herald received the list of 2015 inductees into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

No longer will we need to write "future Hall of Famer" in front of the name of St. Francis coach Bob Ward.

The 21-year coach, with tenure at Spring Valley Hall, Round Lake and Wheaton North before succeeding Shawn Healy at St. Francis in 2011, a genius move, will be inducted as a "career coach" May 2 at Illinois State University.

Local inductees also include the fabulous retired Benet girls coach Peter Paul; players Anthony Parker and Richard Oruche of Naperville Central and Fenton, respectively; and Wheaton Christian Grammar School boys coach Stephen Clum.

Other familiar coaching names include former York coach Al Biancalana, now at DeKalb; Nazareth's John Bonk; Northridge Prep's Will Rey; former Elgin girls coach Lee Turek; Westinghouse players Hersey Hawkins and Eddie Johnson; Chicago Vocational's Juwan Howard; Simeon's Bobby Simmons; and Stevenson's trio of Katie Coleman and sisters Tauja and Tamika Catchings.

Also, Mark Krueger, a Naperville resident who put in time at North Central College's WONC and now works high school broadcasts for Comcast Sports, is entering the media wing.

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