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Coffaro, Hersey knock off Cary-Grove

Hersey sophomore guard Joe Coffaro looks like an eighth grader toiling in a grammar school tournament.

Coffaro doesn't play like a grade-schooler.

Connecting on six 3-pointers, the sophomore scored a game-high 26 points to propel the sixth-seeded Huskies to a 66-57 win over 11th-seeded Cary-Grove in semifinal action of the Class 4A Cary-Grove boys basketball regional Wednesday night.

Hersey will play Palatine for the regional title Friday at 7 p.m. The Pirates advanced with a 74-60 win over Grayslake Central.

"He (Coffaro) was certainly the difference in the game," said Cary-Grove coach Ralph Schuetzle. "We have seen him seven or eight times this season, and he probably averaged one or two 3s in those games."

Coffaro, who was 6 of 9 from beyond the arc, also made 6 of 8 from the free throw line.

"Joe has been a consistent player for us all season," said Hersey coach Steve Messer. "They were clogging up the lane so we did a good job inside-out, and our shooters had open looks. Joe was outstanding."

Coffaro gave his teammates credit.

"They got me the ball in good position to shoot," said Coffaro. "I shot with a lot of confidence tonight."

The Huskies (18-9) were able to finally get some breathing space from the pesky Trojans (16-12) in the fourth quarter.

Holding a slim 43-41 lead after 3 quarters, Hersey started the fourth quarter on a 6-0 run.

Zak Cooper, Max Heeren and Josh Mailloux each had baskets as Hersey led 49-41 with 6:18 left.

The Trojans refused to quit and got to within 54-51 on a 15-footer by Jason Gregoire with 3:09 remaining.

The Trojans couldn't get any closer.

The Huskies made 9 of 12 from the free throw line in the last 1:45 to seal the win. Coffaro was 4-for-6 from the foul line while Cooper was 3 of 4 and Payton Haas made both his shots from the line for Hersey, which made 11 of 20 from 3-point range.

Haas backed Coffaro with 18 points, including 3 treys, and Cooper scored 13.

Gregoire, the Trojans' all-time leading scorer who didn't play because of an ankle injury in Monday's win against Round Lake, ended an illustrious career with 20 points. He finished his varsity career with 1,138 points.

"Jason's ankle was probably 90 percent," said Schuetzle. "He earned every point tonight. Hersey's defense played him tough."

Dan Schmidt was the only other Trojan in double digits with 11 points to go along with 8 rebounds.

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