Aurora Central Catholic 46, Marmion 37
The Aurora Central Catholic boys basketball team rang in 2008 in the best way possible by beating their biggest rival, Marmion, on the Cadets' home court.
The Chargers led the entire way while surrendering just a pair of ties in their 46-37 win Friday in Suburban Catholic Conference action.
ACC improved to 14-1 overall, 5-0 and will take on Driscoll (11-4, 4-0) at home tonight for first place in the conference.
The first half lacked offense from either side. The Cadets scored just one point in the first quarter -- a free throw from Tyler Smith -- as ACC took the 10-1 lead early in the second quarter on an Anthony Kelley basket.
The Cadets responded with back-to-back treys from David Brouch, but brothers Mike and Mark Adams capped ACC's scoring in the first half on back-to-back baskets that gave the Chargers the 16-13 lead at the break.
"We really weren't getting anything to go in the first half," Mark Adams said. "Our defense kept us in it. Our defense gave us time to keep going."
The Cadets tied the game once in the second half -- at 20 on a Manny Juarez basket -- but ACC then went on a 12-2 run, capped by Steve Hollon's 3-pointer with 2:01 left in the quarter.
Hollon's basket gave the Chargers their biggest lead of the game at 32-22.
"Once we started running different plays, things started opening up," Mike Adams said.
Mike and Mark Adams did all the scoring for ACC in the fourth quarter, as the duo combined for 12 points. Mike, the junior center, tallied 7 of his 13 points and 5 of his game-high 10 rebounds in the fourth. He also finished with 3 steals and 3 blocks.
"(Mike) is really active, especially on the defensive end," ACC coach Nate Drye said. "He gets those rebounds, closes out on the shooters, blocking shots. I thought Anthony (Kelley) threw him a nice couple of passes, and (Mike) finished. He finished strong for us, which was huge."
Mark Adams, the senior guard, finished with a game-high 16 points to go with his 8 rebounds, 2 blocks and 3 steals.
Bryce Emory led the Cadets (6-6. 2-3) with 10 points. Brouch was next with 9 points, all on 3-pointers.