When the Lyons Township High School and Oak Park and River Forest High School boys basketball teams typically square off, the game is hotly contested with a close final score. As a recent example, the Lions nipped the visiting Huskies 48-47 on Jan. 10 in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division rivals’ previous meeting this season.
The Huskies earned a measure of revenge on Friday via a relatively comfortable 61-45 win against the Lions at the OPRF Field House. The first quarter resumed the rivalry in predictably close fashion with OPRF leading 20-19 at the end of the quarter. The second quarter, however, proved the difference as the Lions went ice cold offensively.
The opportunistic Huskies (17-6, 6-4) took full advantage by outscoring LTHS 14-2 in the quarter to seize a 34-21 halftime lead. The teams essentially traded baskets in the second half as the Lions (14-10, 5-6) couldn’t cut into the double-digit deficit.
Jaquan Phipps led LTHS with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Harrison Niego scored 13 points. Matt Mrazek played well in the paint with seven points and nine rebounds.
OPRF senior forward Simmie Cobbs turned in a very efficient performance with 20 points on 9-for-12 shooting and hauled down 11 rebounds. Point guard Erick Locke had a solid all-around game with 15 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals. Elliot Greffin (11 points) and Jason Gant (eight points, five assists) also contributed for the victors.
The Lions struggled from the field, making only 14 of 51 shots (27 percent), while OPRF converted 22 of 42 (52 percent) shot attempts. The Huskies shot the ball particularly well from the inside the three-point arc (22-for-31).
On Saturday, Hinsdale Central also defeated LTHS 63-57 in overtime.
In conference action this week, LTHS visits Proviso West on Friday at 6 p.m.
Fenwick rocks St. Rita, Leo
The Friars knocked off Chicago Catholic League South champion St. Rita 72-65 in the opening round of the CCL Tournament at the University of Chicago on Sunday. Senior center Dan Dywer scored 23 points and pulled down seven rebounds to pace the Friars.
Mike Smith (17 points), Scott Lindsey (15 points) and Tom Planek (10 points) also reached double figures for the Friars. Fenwick (18-7, 8-3 CCL North) also held off the Mustangs with stellar free throw shooting (40-for-45).
Other CCL Tournament upper championship bracket results from the weekend include: De La Salle 63, Loyola 56; St. Joseph 60, Providence 45; Mount Carmel 75, Hales 52.
The Friars face host De La Salle on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. in the next round of the tournament. Fenwick finished fourth behind Loyola, St. Joseph and Mount Carmel in the CCL North during the regular season.
On Friday, the Friars called on solid defense and a significant rebounding/scoring advantage inside to defeat host Leo 64-50. Smith paced the victors with 17 points, followed by Dwyer and Planek (14 points apiece). Lindsey contributed 10 points. Darius Oliver scored a game-high 26 points for the Lions.
