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Peoria Notre Dame downs Burlington Central in Plano title game

Two years in a row, Peoria Notre Dame coach Tom Lacher has enjoyed cutting down the nets at Plano.

It certainly brings that feeling of accomplishment.

"We beat some really solid teams to get here, and Burlington is more than solid," Lacher said following the Irish's 62-46 Plano Christmas Classic championship win over Burlington Central on Monday.

"So well-coached, so disciplined, so physical ... it's an accomplishment; just like being able to come back and beat Ottawa last year. It's a testament to the hard work our guys put in."

The Rockets (9-4) have plenty of familiarity with Notre Dame (13-1) over the last few seasons. Last year, the Rockets fell to the Irish in the semifinals. Burlington Central prevailed in overtime to win the tournament championship in 2017.

"They're a nightmare (to defend)," Burlington Central coach Brett Porto said of the Irish. "They have five guys that shoot it and drive it. They're very good. Sometimes, it's just that simple. Every player on that court for them is a weapon in some way, shape or form. They value the basketball, and (they're) skilled, talented group of drivers and shooters."

Winona State commit Connor Dillon emerged as the tournament MVP for the second time in consecutive seasons. Dillon finished his tournament Monday with 12 points and seven rebounds.

"(It) just means all the work in the summer and spring, everything's just been paying off," Dillon said. "I mean, I can't take all the credit, my teammates have just been finding me, getting me open ... our coaching style has just gotten me the ball a lot."

Irish junior Noah Reynolds led with 18 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Declan Dillon, the brother of Connor Dillon, had seven points and four assists. Declan Dillon is also committed to Winona State.

In the first half, the Irish took a 10-point lead to close the first quarter up 17-7. The Rockets eventually pulled within 19-16 after Zac Schmidt's 3-pointer with 5:18 left in the half, but Notre Dame kept firing away. Irish sophomore David Williams hit a pair of 3s, while Matt Williams hit a pair of layups to offset Jake Lenschow's jumper and layup. The Irish took a 31-22 lead at the half.

The Rockets pulled within 10 points twice in the third quarter, but the Irish proved to be too much offensively. They also kept the Rockets' top duo Josh Hudgens and Jake Lenschow to a combined 20 points.

Hudgens led with 14 points, while Schmidt followed with 10. Hudgens and Lenschow were both named to the all-tournament team.

"All five of them can shoot and move the ball," Lenschow said of the Irish. "They hounded you on top; they tired you out before you even got down the court. That was probably even more so for me, though, because I was dealing with the pressure up top."

"Other than that, they could just shoot and drive," Lenschow continued. "It was just hard to contain tonight."

Burlington Central's Zac Schmidt (25) during the championship game in the 57th annual Plano Christmas Classic at Plano High School in Plano, IL on Monday, December 30, 2019 Sean King /for Shaw Media
Burlington Central's Jake Lenschow drives to the basket against Peoria Notre Dame's Nelson Reynolds during the championship game in the 57th annual Plano Christmas Classic at Plano High School in Plano, IL on Monday, December 30, 2019 Sean King /for Shaw Media
Burlington Central's Carson Seyller (10) shoots a three pointer against Peoria Notre Dame's Nelson Reynolds (22) during the championship game in the 57th annual Plano Christmas Classic at Plano High School in Plano, IL on Monday, December 30, 2019 Sean King /for Shaw Media
Burlington Central's Jake Lenschow plays the ball in the post against Peoria Notre Dame's Nelson Reynolds during the championship game in the 57th annual Plano Christmas Classic at Plano High School in Plano, IL on Monday, December 30, 2019 Sean King /for Shaw Media
Burlington Central's Andrew Scharnowski (23) shoots the ball against Peoria Notre Dame's Connor Dillon (5) during the championship game in the 57th annual Plano Christmas Classic at Plano High School in Plano, IL on Monday, December 30, 2019 Sean King /for Shaw Media
Burlington Central's Gavin Sarvis (2) drives to the basket against Peoria Notre Dame's Noah Reyolds (4) during the championship game in the 57th annual Plano Christmas Classic at Plano High School in Plano, IL on Monday, December 30, 2019 Sean King /for Shaw Media
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