Conant returns to Tosh semifinals

The defending champions are back in the semifinals at York's Jack Tosh Holiday Classic.

Conant won for a third straight day on Thursday, topping the host Dukes 54-46 to earn a spot in Friday's first semifinal at 6 p.m. against Wheaton North, a 52-51 winner in overtime against Hinsdale South.

The other semifinal, at 8 p.m., will feature Brother Rice and Batavia, which knocked off Naperville North 54-49 late Thursday.

Senior forward Ryan Davis was again a force for the Cougars. He made 10 of 12 field goals from 2-point range and went 6-for-6 at the foul line to finish with a game-high 26 points.

Davis also had a game-high 10 rebounds along with a team-best 4 assists and 2 steals.

Conant (9-4) trailed by 3 heading into the fourth quarter but finished with an 18-7 scoring edge in the period.

Scott McColaugh came off the bench to hit a pair of 3s for Conant and finished with 8 points. Other key contributors were Anthony Wachal (7 points) and Ben Schols (6 points, 3 assists, 3 steals).

York's Erik Cohn went 4-for-4 from 3-point range and finished with 15 points.

Conant was extremely efficient in running its offense. The Cougars shot 14-for-24 from 2-point range and 5-for-7 from distance as Wachal and Jonathan Kolev both made the only 3s they attempted.

Another key was Conant's big rebounding advantage: The Cougars won that category 19-4.