Fenwick boys basketball forward Xavier Humphrey may only be a sophomore, but on Sunday afternoon at Loyola University’s Gentile Center he played like a reliable veteran, leading his Friars to a 57-54 win over Senn in the Conference Challenge and helping push the Friars’ winning streak to four games.

Humphrey scored a career-high 24 points, 15 of which came in the second half, and he nailed a vital 6-foot jumper in the final minute of action to hold off Senn.

Neither team was at full capacity for Sunday’s match-up. Fenwick (11-7, 2-2) was still without senior starter Newman Delany, who is out with an illness but due back possibly by this week. Senn (15-8) was without Davone Robinson (broken foot) and only dressed six players for the game.

Humphrey added six rebounds, four assists and two steals for the Friars, who took on Catholic League North leaders Loyola on Tuesday night (after deadline).

“Humphrey really showed why he’s a varsity starter today,” said Fenwick head coach John Quinn.

Ryan Harbour added nine points for Fenwick.

The Friars (11-7, 2-2) thumped league opponent St. Laurence 62-47 on Friday night in Oak Park. Nick Caldicott had the hot hand for Fenwick, coming off the bench to score 17 points. The senior also finished with six rebounds, three steals and two assists, and was successful in holding St. Laurence’s top player Tom Kopko to just 12 points, including one basket in the second half.

Fenwick trailed by nine in the second quarter but turned things around in the third, outscoring the Vikings 20-6. The Friars’ bench accounted for 37 points in the game, 10 of which came from Michael Black.

“We’re getting really good production from our bench, and we also hit that magic number 54 I spoke about last week,” said Quinn. “If we score 54 or more points we tend to win.”

Loyola was expected to be a formidable challenge for the Friars, who have defeated the Ramblers the last four years in a row. Loyola is ranked second in the state, and boasts both Michael Jordan’s sons, Marcus and Jeffrey.

The Friars host Gordon Tech on Friday (7:30 p.m.) before enjoying a full week off until visiting Leo Feb. 9 for their final CCL North game.

Fenwick girls win 2 in 1

The Fenwick girls basketball team got two for the price of one on Saturday when they knocked off two opponents in the same day to finish tied for first place in the Sweet 16 tournament with Buffalo Grove.

The Friars (24-1) downed Schaumburg 66-37 Saturday morning at Lake Zurich High School, and then returned the same evening to pummel Naperville Central 78-35.

Devereaux Peters led the Friars past Schaumburg with 26 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks. In the nightcap Alison Jackson took over, pouring in 18 points for the Friars, who host Carmel tonight (Wednesday, 7 p.m.) before embarking on a trip to Philadelphia for a two-day tournament this weekend.