After tough back-to-back road losses, the Lyons Township High School boys basketball team rebounded in a big way on Dec. 10.

The Lions won at rival Hinsdale Central 60-41 and then beat York 61-37 the following night in LaGrange.

LTHS (5-2, 2-1 in West Suburban Conference Silver) was coming off losses at Riverside-Brookfield and No. 1-rated Glenbard West.

“Hinsdale Central is a very good team, and they play very well at home. The atmosphere was loud and exciting. I am very happy for our players to win in that environment,” LTHS coach Tom Sloan said. 

Tavari Johnson collected 22 points with six assists and Will Carroll (10 points, 5 rebounds) and Jackson Niego (10 points) also scored in double figures. Aidan Sullivan added seven rebounds.

Nik Polonowski (14 points), Johnson (12 points, 5 steals), Sullivan (8 points, 8 rebounds) and Carroll (8 points) led the way against York. 

RBHS boys roll on

The Riverside-Brookfield High School boys basketball team concluded a dominating week Dec. 11 by beating Romeoville 78-50 in their Team Rose Classic opener at Mt. Carmel.

J.P. Hanley (21 points, 8 rebounds) and Joevonn McCottry (18 points) both had big offensive games for the Bulldogs (8-1).

RBHS also won Metro Suburban Conference crossovers over Chicago Christian 82-20 on Dec. 10 and Ridgewood 82-35 on Dec. 7.

Arius Alijosius was 5-for-5 from three-point range en route to 21 points Friday. Hanley and Brady Vaia each had 12 points and Will Gonzalez five assists. 

Hanley (17) and McCottry (15 points) led 11 Bulldogs who scored against Ridgewood. 

LTHS girls race to 8-1 start

During team photo day, Lyons Township High School senior Grace Hughes grabbed a basketball for her individual photo and discovered something.

Hughes could palm a basketball – and held it with her arm extended straight out.

“I have really big hands,” said Hughes, laughing. “When I was taking that picture, I just palmed it and it was able to stick. I was trying to figure out a pose – and then it worked.”

Her cardboard cutout along the baseline was among the seven honoring LTHS seniors Dec. 11 as the Lions defeated Proviso West 59-33 on Senior Day.

Izzy Lee, Hailey Markworth and Olivia Mezan are senior starters. Reserves Hughes, Molly Michalak and Brigid Dunne joined the lineup in the second quarter, including one all-senior stretch with Lee (13 points) and Hailey Markworth (12 points). Senior Anna Bryant is sidelined after recently undergoing ACL surgery.

Hughes and Michalak each scored four points in the fourth quarter.

“Being (Senior Day), I had a lot of energy coming in and I feel I was able to use that energy on the court and I finally had a way better game,” Hughes said. “I started off not doing too hot in the season but I finally feel like I’m getting my momentum.” 

The Lions (8-1, 3-0 in WSC Silver) have won four straight, previously beating Glenbard West 69-40, Hinsdale Central 56-42 and Fremd 48-39 after losing at Benet 57-44 on Dec. 1.

Markworth scored in double figures all three victories, including 19 against Fremd. Ella Ormsby scored 13 at Benet.