Burlington drops heartbreaker, 72-70

Burlington Central coach Chris Payne knew he did not need a timeout in the final 18 seconds of the Rockets' game against Chicago Hyde Park.

Payne knew with seniors Jason Wagner, Michael McCurdy and Jake McNutt on the floor, the veterans would keep their composure as time expired and Hyde Park owning a 72-70 lead.

The trio did as Central had three open looks to win its opening round game of the 80th Annual Chuck Dayton Holiday Tournament in DeKalb. But all three looks fell short and Central dropped its opening-round contest 72-70 to Hyde Park.

"We had a timeout left, but we were at a point where we knew with Michael on the floor it would be best to let him go and make a play," Payne said.

Michael McCurdy did as he drove the lane to find Wagner wide open in the left corner. Wagner missed, but McNutt kept hope alive grabbing the long offensive board. He kicked it to Michael McCurdy, who missed the Rockets' second 3-point look. Shane Larkin nabbed his fourth offensive rebound of the second half inside the lane, but passed out to Matt McCurdy, who missed the final 3-pointer as time expired.

"Coach said after the game, with the three seniors on the floor, he knew he didn't need to call a timeout," Michael McCurdy said.

Wagner had tied the game at 70 when he sank a 3-point attempt with 50 seconds remaining, but Malcom Griffin's putback with 18 ticks on the clock gave the Thunderbirds the game.

Despite the last seconds of the game, Central (5-2) was pleased with its efforts against a much taller and more physical Hyde Park (6-1).

Michael McCurdy led 9 players in double figures with 33 points, including 13 during a Central comeback run in the fourth quarter. The Rockets also finished with 12 three-pointers, with Michael McCurdy, Jason Wagner (13 points), Matt McCurdy (11 points) and Jake McNutt (11 points) all connecting 3 times from long range.

The problem was, Hyde Park could also connect form downtown.

Griffin, who led the Thunderbirds with 17 points, nailed a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Hyde Park finished with nine 3-pointers. Griffin also nailed the go-ahead basket with 18 seconds reaming on an offensive putback.

Hyde Park owned a 20-5 rebounding advantage in the first half, with a 10-0 lead on the offensive glass. A more physical Central won the battle on the offensive glass 10-7 in the second half.

"They are a lot different then the Big Northern (Conference)," Michael McCurdy said of Hyde Park's physical play. "In the first half I don't think we boxed out."

Added Payne: "We were more physical (in the second half). We held out box a little longer. We boxed out a little better."

Floyd Trice (11 points), Anthony Dixon (13 points), Christian Spencer (15 points) and Eliam Traylor (10 points) all finished in double digits for the Thunderbirds.