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Chicago Christian has Lisle's number

Starting the season 1-9, Lisle's boys basketball team improved dramatically the last two months. Yet it came to an end Monday at the Lions' own Class 2A regional.

"I think we matured as a ballclub. We just need to grow for next year," said coach Mark LaScala after No. 4 seed Chicago Christian beat No. 5 Lisle 52-47 in a regional quarterfinal.

Led by 6-foot-7 Anajuwon Spencer and 6-4 Trevor Wolterink, who combined for 37 points and 18 rebounds, Chicago Christian grabbed 40 rebounds with 13 on the offensive end to Lisle's 25 total. The Knights also made 10 of 12 fourth-quarter free throws to counter 2-of-11 field-goal shooting.

Playing in 2A for the first time since 2008, Chicago Christian (14-13) moves to Tuesday's 6 p.m. regional semifinal against top-seeded St. Edward.

"We only have a school of 350, so 2A is rightfully where we belong and I'll tell you, it's good to be back," said Knights coach Kevin Pittman.

Lisle (10-16) ceded a 38-37 lead after three quarters and was within 46-44 with 46 seconds to play when 5-7 Ryan Gillen out-toughed 6-3 Bradford Fitzpatrick for an inside basket.

Wolterink followed with two free throws, Lisle missed a look under its basket and Spencer grabbed the defensive rebound and was fouled. He also went 2 of 2 from the line.

Mark McGrath's 3-pointer with 11.1 seconds left had Lisle within 50-47, but Spencer made another two free throws for the final margin.

"That kind of makes it tough because just looking back you're thinking, I should have done this or I should have done that. We gave it our all, though," McGrath said.

Aggressively taking the ball to the hoop, Lisle held within 16-15 after a quarter and 29-24 at halftime despite Chicago Christian's 12-of-22 shooting from the floor.

"The margin for error is small when size matters," said LaScala, encouraged by the student turnout for an early Monday game. "They got a lot of second-chance points. Sometimes it's backbreaking. But I thought our kids kept battling back even when losing the lead."

Gillen and McGrath, who each scored 19 points, return next season as well as another of Lisle's top-three scorers, Nick Massura, plus key players Derrick Redmond, Grant Haen and Trevor Stitt. Despite Monday's loss that means momentum.

"It was probably the most fun team that I've played on my whole life," Gillen said. "We've all grown up with each other and just playing with each other was so fun. I loved every minute of it."

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