Hinsdale South's Tims makes a good memory at Downers Grove South
Hinsdale South senior Billy Durkin still carries bad memories from the final moments of last year's boys basketball defeat at rival Downers Grove South.
He won't soon forget his final visit Friday.
His season-high 20 points plus senior Aaron Tims' season-high season 17 turned the tide for a 51-38 victory that that keeps the West Suburban Conference Gold front-runners undefeated at 8-0, 3-0 in the division.
"After three years of playing here, to get a win, just to end it on a good note, it felt pretty good," Durkin said.
"I started to get a little bit going after a pretty quiet first half. It felt pretty good to get my shot going, see some other guys (scoring). Aaron had some big dunks and a lot of energy there."
After the third-year varsity players combined for 9 points on 8 shots in the first half, they scored all 20 points by the Hornets in the third quarter, turning a 22-20 halftime deficit into a 40-28 lead.
Durkin had 9 third-quarter points, including the first 7 with a 3. Sims began his 11 points with a top-of-the-key three followed by four baskets with two slam dunks.
"We just play inside and out. (Durkin) gives me the ball. I give him the ball. We just feed off each other," Sims said. "I was just trying to get loose. Second half I guess I got my wet, got more aggressive on offense."
Downers South (1-7, 1-2) scored the first four baskets of the fourth quarter - three straight by Kyle Fenner - to close to 40-36 with 5:52 left but didn't score again until the final 24 seconds.
The Hornets' 10-0 run included three straight baskets and a free throw from Durkin. Sophomore Bobby Durkin added 7 rebounds and 5 steals.
"It's tough to play here. The fans really get into it," Hinsdale South coach Brett Moore said.
"Billy and Aaron picked us up while other guys were struggling with the environment of this game. Bobby Durkin did a lot of great stuff (too). They kept us in it in the first half and won it for us in the second half."
Downers South has three losses by 5 points or fewer and another in overtime.
"We played great defense and our focus was there, working hard. I think that (first half) was our best defensive half of the season," Downers South coach Kris Olson said.
"That's two of the better players in the area (Billy Durkin and Tims). They're the best team in our conference, they play well and they're well-coached. They played really tough and I thought we played really tough."
Both teams head to York's Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament, where the Hornets are a top-four seed.
Last year the Mustangs swept the season series from the Hornets, including a 66-56 victory in Downers Grove. After Friday's victory, the Hornet Mafia student section stormed the court.
"(Last year) was a pretty heartbreaking loss. I had a pretty bad turnover at the end that kind of cost us," Billy Durkin said.
"All throughout the week, all of our friends were really promoting (Friday's) game. When you're 7-0 going into the week, it kind of gets the kids to come out."