Ross, Larkin topple Woodstock

Sure, Cam Ross would enjoy starting for the Larkin boys basketball team.

But the Royals' senior guard is savoring his role off the bench. Scoring 18 points with a pair of 3-pointers, Ross helped lead Larkin to a 53-44 win over Woodstock in second round action of The Hoops for Healing Boys Basketball Tournament held at Woodstock High School Wednesday night.

“Cam is a starter,” said Larkin coach Deryn Carter. “He will be in the game at the end to finish. He feels comfortable in the role and he was outstanding tonight. Cam hit some big shots and made some clutch free throws. Cam brought a lot to the table tonight.”

Ross made 8-of-9 free throws in the fourth quarter to secure the Royals' (2-0) win.

“Coach knows what he is doing and we are off to a 2-0 start,” said Ross. “I just want to help us win and I wanted to be at the line at the end with the game on the line.”

Trailing the host Blue Streaks 34-30 with 6:45 remaining, Ross and the Royals went to work and outscored the hosts 23-10 the rest of the way.

Down by 4, Larkin seized control of the game with 9 unanswered points.

The Royals received contributions from Ross, who scored 5 points with a 3-pointer, and Ian Fluhler, who buried a 3 as Larkin grabbed a 39-34 advantage with 3:56 left in the game.

Woodstock pulled to within 2 points of the Royals at 42-40 on a putback by Mike Sutter with 2:44 left in the game but the Blue Streaks couldn't get any closer.

The Royals scored their final 11 points from the free-throw line. Ross was 6-of-7 from the line, while Vincent Sarangaya made 3-of-4 as the Royals salted the game away.

Backing Ross for the Royals was Fluhler with 10 points.

Sutter scored 15 points with 11 rebounds for the Streaks before fouling out with 2:19 left in the game, while Jordan Turner added 12.

The Royals committed 23 turnovers, 22 in the first 3 quarters.

“We played one good quarter and were able to sneak out of here with a win,” said Carter. “Give Woodstock credit, they played a tough zone, but we weren't ready to attack the zone. We didn't match their energy for 3 quarters. I like the way we played in the fourth quarter.”