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Thornton, Hoffman Estates feelin' good after another upset

Hoffman Estates guard Jorden Thornton said he was "feelin' it" Friday night in the Class 4A regional final at Schaumburg.

As a result, Grayslake North didn't feel very good about the game's outcome.

Thornton scored a career-high 36 points, including 13 in the decisive fourth quarter as the No. 13-seeded Hawks pulled off an upset of the fifth-seeded Knights 67-62.

Thornton hit on 6 of 10 3-point attempts.

The win sets up a third matchup this season against Mid-Suburban League champion Conant at Fremd at 7 p.m. Tuesday in a sectional semifinal.

"This whole season, everything we've worked for - the tough losses, the practices - came down to a defensive play," said Hoffman Estates coach Luke Yanule.

The Hawks (13-17) took the lead for good at 63-61 on Thornton's 3-point play with 20 seconds left.

Grayslake North standout guard Jamal Thomas, who led the 25-4 Knights with 25 points and 7 rebounds, drove to the basket with 10 seconds left.

Brandon Hall, who was on the bench most of the game for Hoffman Estates with foul trouble, made his fourth block on Thomas' shot.

Thornton came up with the loose ball, was fouled and converted 2 free throws for a 65-61 lead.

Then Thomas sank the first of 2 free throws.

Hall grabbed the rebound with six seconds left, was fouled and made 2 more free throws to seal the first regional title in 10 years for the Hawks.

"I didn't realize that I had scored that many until someone told me after the game," Thornton said. "I caught some rhythm and I was knocking down the shots. With Brandon on the bench we had to carry the load while he was out."

Lamont McIntosh helped hold the Hawks together by scoring 10 of his 13 points in the first half.

Konrad Kieruzal stepped up in the second half, scoring all 9 of his points and grabbing 8 rebounds.

"When Brandon went out early in the third quarter I felt I had to step up," Kieruzal said. "We've been in a lot of close games that we could have won during the season. As a team we learned from this close losses. We weren't going to let the regional title get away."

The contest could not have been tighter. It featured 19 lead changes and 11 ties.

"Grayslake North was very good and we knew we would have to play good defense to win this one," Yanule said. "Our kids showed exceptional character. I have to give credit to players from five years ago who started to help us turn this thing around."

"We knew going in that Hoffman would be dangerous," said Grayslake North coach Todd Grunloh. "They have really good 3-point shooters. They played just as hard as we did. One stop either way in a game like this, and it would be a different outcome. I told our kids that even if we didn't win this game they are still champions because of the way they played all season."

Aidan Einloth scored 14 for the Knights and Bobby Krebbs added 9 points.

"They were aggressive," Thomas said of the Hawks. "We knew they could shoot the 3s. But we held strong with our leadership. One team wins and one team had to lose. It wasn't our night."

"A win like this means a lot to us as a team and to the school," Thornton said. "To win a game like this can be a big culture change for the school, the program and have a carry-over effect to us as players when we graduate. I just knew we could pull this one out. I am so proud of all my teammates."

The Hawks played 18 games that were decided by 6 or less points. Yanule knew things could change in a favorable way toward the end of the season.

"Even in defeat our kids never gave up," Yanule said. "They showed a lot of grit all year and tonight. It was a deserved win."

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