LTHS boys basketball edges OPRF
Fresh off a strong semifinals showing at the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic, the Lyons Township High School boys basketball team remained hot over the weekend, picking up a couple of wins.
The Lions defeated Prospect 62-56 in a nonconference game Saturday as Harrison Niego scored 20 points and pulled down six rebounds.
More importantly, the Lions (10-5, 3-1) squeaked by visiting Oak Park and River Forest High School 48-47 on Friday in a key West Suburban Conference Silver Division matchup. Set up by a great screen from teammate Matt Mrazek, Niego nailed a 15-foot jumper with seven seconds remaining to lift the Lions to victory.
Jim Cullen, who also canned a critical three-point basket in the final minute, paced the Lions with 10 points and four rebounds. Sam Cybulski and Matt Mrazek netted nine points apiece. Niego (eight points) and Jaquan Phipps (seven points, seven rebounds) also contributed for the victors.
Defensively, LTHS held OPRF stars Erick Locke (5-for-18 shooting) and Simmie Cobbs (5-for-16) in check.
Fenwick boys basketball
The players on the Fenwick High School boys basketball team got into a collective shooting zone during Friday’s 69-46 win over host Gordon Tech. The red-hot Friars (12-4, 5-0 Chicago Catholic League North) made 28 of 30 shots from two-point range en route to a comfortable victory in league play.
“We executed really well and we played unselfish basketball,” Fenwick senior forward Tom Planek said. “We probably assisted on most of our baskets and didn’t take any silly shots. I think the key was our patience on offense.”
While Planek (16 points), sophomore guard Mike Smith (14 points) and senior center Dan Dwyer (12 points) turned in their typically solid performances, the bench also stepped up for Fenwick.
Senior guard Charlie Walsh hit a timely three-pointer in the closing seconds of the first half to push the Friars’ lead to nine points at the break. Fellow reserve Jeremy Ireland also played well.
Fenwick girls basketball
Fenwick High School girls basketball coach Dave Power got a late Christmas present when all-state guard Jade Owens returned to the lineup Saturday.
Owens hadn’t played since severely spraining her ankle during the second minute of the season opener against cross-town rival Oak Park and River Forest High School. The Creighton recruit wasn’t exactly in mid-season form but still scored 10 of her team-high 14 points in the second half as the host Friars upset Carmel 57-48 in East Suburban Catholic Conference action in Oak Park.
“It was great to have her back,” Power said. “It’s been a long wait. It really gives the other girls some confidence.”
Power was even happier with the way the Friars (8-12, 2-2) began their first game of 2014. The hosts opened up with a 22-2 run and led 30-6 at one point before settling for a 30-12 halftime lead.
Maya Garland led the early onslaught by scoring 10 of her 12 points before the break, including a pair of three-pointers. Jenny Mackowiak added 10 points and Kiki Sheard had eight points.
Trinity basketball
The Blazers upset Whitney Young 56-52 Saturday in River Forest. Annie McKenna scored a season-high 21 points and DePaul-bound Lauren Prochaska added 18 points to power Trinity (14-2) past the Dolphins (13-2), who entered the game as the Class 4A top-ranked team in the Associated Press writers’ poll.
RBHS boys swimming
The Bulldogs swept Plainfield Co-op last week with a 122-54 varsity win and 91-78 junior varsity victory. The team will host the 60th Annual Riverside-Brookfield Invitational on Saturday at noon.
RBHS wrestling
The Bulldogs bested Glenbard South 39-24, improving to 10-9 overall and 2-1 in the Metro Suburban Conference. RBHS competes in the Steve Melichar Invite Saturday at Lisle High School at 9 a.m.
RBHS girls gymnastics
RBHS hosts Fenton today at 6 p.m. and the Riverside-Brookfield Gymnastics Invitational on Saturday at noon. Featuring a deep and talented roster, including Lacey Smith, Campbell Hayes, Michelle Adams, Ariana Virgil, Tricia Czerwien, Mary Penckofer, Jackie LaBelle, Alissa Rojas, Louise Martin and Alexia Kingzette, the Bulldogs are off to a promising 3-1 start with wins against Morton, Hinsdale South and Glenbard South.
—Marty Farmer, Lauren Recchia and Matt Le Cren
