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Fast start helps Cary-Grove win at Hampshire

Frank Jakubicek and Beau Frericks have taken their superior talents to the collegiate level.

But, the winning ways for the Cary-Grove boys basketball program continues.

The Trojans, outscoring Hampshire 38-22 in the first and third quarters, moved to 2-1 in the Fox Valley Conference with a hard fought 54-47 win over the pesky Whip-Purs in Hampshire Tuesday night.

"We played great in the first and third quarters," said Cary-Grove coach Adam McCloud. "We were undisciplined at times. Give Hampshire credit. They didn't quit and hung in there."

Andrew Talkington paced the Trojans' balanced attack with 12 points while 3-year varsity performer Ryan Weaver scored 10 with 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

"It was a collective effort," said Weaver. "We are meshing together as a team. Hampshire kept fighting and battled."

Drew Sepeczi scored 9, Brett Green 8, Mike Clarke 7 and Evan Berghoff 6 for the winners.

"We have a lot of inexperience and we are still experimenting with lineups," said McCloud. "It was a good win and we seem to be trending up."

Holding a tenuous 24-20 lead at halftime, Cary-Grove started the second half on a 8-0 run. Sepeczi scored 5 points and Clarke buried a 3-pointer as the Trojans extended their halftime advantage to 32-20 with 5:33 left in the third quarter.

The Whip-Purs (0-4, 0-3) didn't score until the 4:12 mark when Bailey Woods hit from beyond the arc. Hampshire climbed within 42-34 with 43 seconds left on a putback by Zachary Percivel.

The key play in the game came as time expired in the quarter. Green hit a 3 and was fouled and converted the free throw for a 4-point play. Cary-Grove led 46-34 after 24 minutes.

Hampshire didn't quit and started the final quarter with a 9-2 run. A layup by Bailey pulled the Whip-Purs within 48-43.

But, Hampshire couldn't get any closer.

Bailey paced the Whip-Purs with 15.

"This was our best effort of the season," said Hampshire coach Mike Featherly. "I was proud of our effort. I saw progress tonight. We played smart and with heart."

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