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Conant's top trio too much for Prospect

Conant's big three took turns holding off Prospect on Monday in the opening boys basketball game of the season for both teams in the Joe Majkowski Thanksgiving Tournament at St. Viator in Arlington Heights.

It was Michael Downing in the beginning, Jimmy Sotos in the middle and Ryan Davis in the end as the trio combined for 51 points to help Conant outrace Prospect 74-63.

"It was a heck of an opening game," Conant coach Tom McCormack said. "For a first game, we will take what we saw.

"Having seniors makes all the difference. Last year, we were a junior-dominated club and this year we are a senior-dominated club. So we expect more."

Downing, one of those seniors, showed his strength to begin the game. The 6-foot-9 Downing scored 8 of his 13 points in the first quarter as the Cougars went on a tear to open the game.

Conant hit its first 7 shots. Then, after their first miss, Downing had a putback as the Cougars raced to a 17-7 lead.

"After our loss in the supersectionals last year, I have been working hard in the off-season to get back there," Downing said. "I have been working hard and grinding hard to get better. I practice against Ryan (Davis) every day, so I get the feel of a big body."

Conant led 19-9 after the first quarter, but Prospect showed it will be a force this season. The Knights, who are also a senior-dominated squad, scored 10 unanswered points to tie the game at 19 on Frankie Mack's 3-pointer with 5:07 left in the first half.

It then became Sotos' turn to take over for the Cougars.

The senior scored 12 of his 19 points in that final five minutes of the half, driving to the basket and scoring all those points on four 3-point plays.

"It was good to see us playing together again," Sotos said. "It was fun to be out there again.

"They did a good job of taking me away in the second half. But when you take me away, you still have to deal with Ryan. He came up big for us in the second half."

Prospect again made a run at the Cougars again.

The Knights rallied behind the play of Mack, Antonio Gardner and Grant Whitebloom to close to 45-42 with 48.1 seconds left in the third quarter. Prospect had a chance to tie, but had a 3-point shot rim out.

From there it was Davis' turn.

The 6-9 junior hit a step-back jumper just before the buzzer to make it 47-42. That play set off "Big Country," who scored 15 of his 19 points in the final quarter as Conant pulled away.

"In the first half, I just wasn't myself," Davis said. "But then I got into a rhythm and got back to my game. I was able to focus on how to score and how to help my team."

Ben Schols had 9 points thanks to a pair of 3-pointers while Danny Ranallo and C.J. Deshazer each added 6 points for the Cougars.

Mack led Prospect with 22 points while Michael Ritchie had 14 points and David Swedura and Gardner each had 7 points.

"We just got into a hole early," Prospect coach John Camardella said. "I was proud they way our kids battled back.

"But we are going to see these guys again. A couple times, hopefully."

Both teams met to end the regular season last year in the Mid-Suburban League title game. They will play each other again this season in January and are favored to meet again in the MSL title game again this season.

  Conant guard Jimmy Sotos goes up for a shot over Prospect's Antonio Gardner in tournament play Monday at St. Viator. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Prospect guard Michael Ritchie shoots over Conant center Ryan Davis in the second quarter during tournament play Monday at St. Viator. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Conant's Michael Downing, left, and Jimmy Sotos pressure Prospect guard Grant Whitebloom in the second quarter during tournament play Monday at St. Viator. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Prospect guard David Swedura flies into Conant guard Jimmy Sotos after being stripped of the ball in the second quarter during tournament play Monday at St. Viator. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Prospect guard Matt Szuba shoots over Conant forward Mike Downing in the second quarter during tournament play Monday at St. Viator. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Conant coach Tom McCormack during tournament play against Prospect on Monday at St. Viator. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Prospect guard Frankie Mack shoots against Conant during tournament play Monday at St. Viator. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Prospect coach John Camardella during tournament play against Conant on Monday at St. Viator. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
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