Burlington Central survives scare from Kaneland

The boys basketball gods were not too kind to Jake Lenschow to start the season.

The Burlington Central junior forward missed several games due to mononucleosis and a painful tongue injury.

But Lenschow was at full strength for the Rockets Wednesday morning for the opener of the Plano Christmas Classic against long-time nonconference rival Kaneland.

Lenschow scored the Rockets' first 14 points in leading all players with 17 points and 11 rebounds as Central never allowed the Knights any breathing room in the second half of a multiple one-possession game in a 56-50 victory in Plano.

The defending champion and third seed of the 16-team tournament, Central (8-3) advances to meet upstart Yorkville Christian, which smoked sixth-seeded Coal City 78-63, in the Thursday afternoon quarterfinals.

Kaneland played a game completely contrary to its record thus far.

"We're a 1-11 team, but it seems like they keep battling," first-year Kaneland coach Russ Zick said.

"That's a scary team that will keep improving throughout the year," Central coach Brett Porto said of the Knights. "We tried putting that message across to the team; I don't know if it ever got through until the very end."

Central required the entire fourth quarter to shake free of Kaneland.

The Knights, who trailed 41-38 entering the fourth quarter, were never able to find the equalizer in the last eight minutes.

But Kaneland certainly put a scare into the Rockets by reducing the Rockets' lead to a sole possession on four different trips in the fourth.

"We missed some 3s down the stretch that I really think our kids will make as we get going down the line," Zick said. "It's already down the line, so we have to get going pretty soon."

Will Cushman, who finished with a team-high 12 points for the Knights, hit a pair of 3-pointers.

But the remainder of the team struggled to a 1-for-17 performance from beyond the arc.

Conversely, the Knights neutralized Central leading scorer Patrick Mayfield, whose 2-for-16 clip from the field was emblematic of his under-the-weather status.

Lenschow, however, came to the forefront for the Rockets instead.

"I felt pretty good, I guess," Lenschow said. "I guess I had a mismatch up top (in the first quarter). I was aggressive. I shot better than I usually do today. Once you get the first one, they build confidence for you."

Lenschow hit all three 3-point attempts for Central, which closed out the game from the free-throw line.

Mayfield converted 9 of 11 attempts from the line to score 13 points.

Braden Seyller hit 5 of his 6 field-goal attempts to add 12 points for Central.

Bryce Ebert had 11 points to join Cushman in double digits for Kaneland.