Peotone 56, Lisle 41

When Anthony Falaschetti asks for a breather in a boys basketball game, it can only mean one thing.

"That shows how hard he's working," Peotone coach Scott Maupin said of his third-year varsity player.

Falaschetti earned a good rest Tuesday night, as the 6-foot-3 senior scored 20 points with 7 rebounds in Peotone's 56-41 win over Lisle in the Class 2A Chicago Christian regional.

Paired with 6-3 sophomore Nic Romanchick's 11 points and 4 rebounds, the big guys were also too much for Lisle in two Peotone Interstate Eight Conference wins.

"More of the same," Lisle coach Mark LaScala said. "We played them three times, and they killed us three times. I don't know if that is a lack of adjustment or they're just really good."

Falaschetti muscled in 7 of his points in the first quarter, with two baskets to end the period giving Peotone the lead for good at 15-12 after Lisle held an early advantage.

"I just go hard 100 percent of the time," Falaschetti said. "At this time of year, you have to bring your 'A' game every night."

LaScala's Lions (9-21) didn't go easy against a veteran Peotone team with five senior starters.

Peotone led 28-23 at the half and 36-25 midway through the third quarter, but 7 points by Lisle junior forward Lee Gorski pulled the Lions within 38-34 with 35 seconds left in the third.

"He's a high-energy guy," LaScala said of Gorski. "If playing hard is a talent, he's the most talented kid in the world."

It was 42-36 with 6:30 left in after Matt Bryjak's free throw for Lisle, but Peotone (19-9) rolled off an 8-0 run to put the game away and advance to Friday's regional final against Chicago Christian.

"I'm proud of the fact that our kids never quit," LaScala said. "I can't think of a game this year where they quit. Even though they beat us by double digits three times, we feel like we're capable of competing."

Gorski scored 11 points for Lisle, as did Marcus Wilson. Wilson also had 4 steals, and the lanky sophomore guard scored 9 of his points in the first half on smooth pull-ups and drives to the basket. Senior Andrew Rapciak added 10 points.

Wilson and Gorski are two of the five Lions on the floor Tuesday who will return next season.

"Next year we will have a lot more experience on the floor," LaScala said. "Hopefully our younger guys can learn from this."