Hampshire knocks off McHenry

McHenry’s Robert Tonyan was nearly unstoppable. But Hampshire’s Tyler Crater wasn’t bad, either. And he had more help.

Crater led four Whip-Purs in double figures with 19 points and Hampshire overcame Tonyan’s 23-point effort to beat the Warriors, 62-50, in a Fox Valley Conference boys basketball crossover at Hampshire Friday night.

Tyler Watzlawick, in his final home game, added 12 points and 6 rebounds, Brock Ralphs scored all 12 of his points in the fourth quarter and Shane Hernandez had 10 points for Hampshire (17-10).

“We started the season 2-7 and we’re 17-10,” said Hampshire coach Bob Barnett, who once coached at McHenry. “15-3 is pretty good, which is what we expected. But the season’s not over.”

Tonyan missed 2 of his first 3 shots, then made 9 straight. He also had 7 rebounds for the Warriors.

Hampshire, which plays wither Burlington Central or Sycamore Tuesday night in the Class 3A Rochelle regional, led by 10 at halftime on Senior Night, but the Warriors (10-15) outscored the Whips 15-5 in the third quarter to tie it up. McHenry scored its first 12 points of the quarter on 4 3-pointers by four different players.

Hampshire led just 50-48 late in the third quarter, but scored 10 straight points to put it away. The Whip-Purs made 15 of 15 free throws in the fourth quarter. Ralphs was 7-for-7 from the line, and Watzlawick went 4-for-4.

With Hampshire clinging to a 52-48 lead, Ryan Cork made 2 free throws. McHenry coach Tim Paddock was hit with a technical and Ralphs converted both foul shots. On the ensuing possession, Watzlawick was fouled and made two more. After a steal by Brendan Waterworth, Ralphs converted two more freebies.

“They had a great third quarter, they hit a lot of 3s,” said Watzlawick. “But then we just wanted to hold the ball and play tougher defense in the fourth, and we pulled it out.”

But Tonyan left everyone impressed.

“That last shot he made, Watzlawick took away his right,” Barnett said of Tonyan. “He spun, Shane was right there, and it still went in. You just kind of go, ‘Nice job, kid.’ ”