South Elgin stumbles again, falls to York

Sixteen turnovers, one fourth-quarter basket...

And York coach Al Biancalana will take it, in a dogged 58-50 Dukes victory Monday over South Elgin at the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic in Elmhurst.

"We're much like the head coach: We're not pretty to look at but we've got a great heart," said the self-effacing Biancalana, whose Dukes host Glenbard South for fifth place at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Saturday's 54-42 loss to Conant caused the coach to issue a challenge. York (4-7) never conceded the upper hand though South Elgin hung with the Dukes throughout and tied it once - 23-23 in the second quarter on an Alex Sanchez 3-pointer.

"I knew it was going to be a really hard, physical game and our kids stepped up big-time and took control of the game from start to finish," Biancalana said. "That was great to see and I credit our seniors for that."

South Elgin (8-3) landed only Sheldon Chaney in double figures with 10, all in the fourth quarter as the last man Storm coach Chaz Taft entered.

"I knew I had to really step it up, because I want to play," said the junior guard. "So I had to get in there and give it my best."

Early on, York seniors Tom Judge and Tom Roth provided the grit Biancalana sought. Sophomore guard Will Sullivan excelled all afternoon, a season-high 23 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the floor and 10-of-10 from the foul line.

Sullivan was key when South Elgin made a last rush. York led 52-42 with 3:50 remaining. Chaney converted his own steal, made 2 free throws and then hit a runner to trim the deficit to 55-50 with 53 seconds left.

York's Kevin Kahovec made 1 of 2 foul shots to extend the lead, and on the defensive end Sullivan made a steal right under the Storm basket. He was fouled and went 2-for-2 from the line with 31.5 seconds left.

"Coach had us in a switching defense," the 6-3 Sullivan said. "I just anticipated, read his eyes and got in the passing lane. Luckily I got the ball."

South Elgin missed 3- and 2-point shots with Sullivan there to grab the final rebound, leaving the No. 1 seed playing for seventh place.

"We passed up three open shots for a three at the end of the game, two of our best shooters," Taft said. "We've just got to walk through tomorrow for Maine South, get ready to go at 2:30. That's all we can do."