Montini handles Marmion

A year ago, Montini's boys basketball team finished with a 7-22 record.

Seven games into the 2016-17 season, the Broncos are on pace to reverse that mark.

Juniors Jayston Williams and Matt Morrissey combined for 43 points while receiving ample support from their teammates during Montini's 83-73 Chicago Catholic League North triumph over Marmion (0-6, 0-2) Friday night in Aurora.

Williams scored 11 of his game-high 24 points in the third quarter on 4 of 4 shooting from the field as the Broncos (6-1, 1-1) extended a 44-38 halftime lead into a 68-57 bulge.

"My guys were able to find me," said Williams, who knocked down all three of his 3-point attempts in the third quarter. "They found me in open spots and I was able to knock down open shots."

Morrissey (19 points, 8 rebounds) and sophomore guard Ray Dennis (16 points) scored 8 and 7 points, respectively, as the Broncos built a 25-20 first-quarter lead.

While Montini was unable to continue its torrid 100-point pace, the up-tempo style suited its players just fine.

"We love it," said Williams, who also made all 8 of his free-throw attempts. "Run and gun - that's what we call it."

Trailing by 11 entering the fourth quarter, the Cadets trimmed the deficit to 8 at 71-63 midway through the period on a driving layup by Sam Doroff (10 points, 5 rebounds) and made it 77-70 in the final minute before the Broncos iced it with 6 late free throws, 4 by Williams.

"They shot really well from the three (11 of 22)," Marmion coach Joe Currie said of the Broncos. "We knew they would shoot the three - they just hadn't shot that well.

"And they were 16 of 19 from the free-throw line and we were 7 of 16. If we put a couple more of those in and maybe don't miss the front end of some, it might have made it a little different at the end there."

Mychale Hyland was the Broncos' fourth player to reach double figures with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.

"These same games last year, we found a way to lose," said Montini coach Daryl Thomas. "It's refreshing to know that these guys - they stick with it and keep going."

However, Thomas realizes his team has to improve at the defensive end.

"Good teams play really good defense and we're not even close to being a good team yet," said the coach. "We put up quite a few points but we have to be able to stop teams."

Junior 6-foot-9 center Mick Sullivan paced the Cadets with 20 points and 13 rebounds while sophomore guard Tommy Surges added 14 points, and seniors Brandon Currie and Jett Haas netted 9 points apiece.

"I'm very proud of these guys," said Joe Currie. "This was a great team game for us tonight."

Marmion visits Batavia Saturday night.