Cary-Grove holds off Larkin
It was a third quarter to remember for Cary-Grove.
It was one to forget for Larkin.
Outscoring the Royals 16-2 in the third quarter, Cary-Grove overcame 23 turnovers and 40 percent free throw shooting to defeat Larkin 51-44 in third-round action of the Hoops for Healing Boys Basketball Tournament held at Woodstock North High School Friday afternoon.
"We ran the same defenses, press and offense in the third quarter that we did in the first half," said Cary-Grove coach Ralph Schuetzle. "We just executed. It was an outstanding third quarter for us."
Holding a slim and tenuous 23-21 lead at halftime, the Trojans (2-1) seized control of the game in the third quarter. Capitalizing on 6 Larkin (2-1) turnovers, Cary-Grove scored the first 14 points of the quarter to extend a 2-point halftime lead to 16, 39-23.
Jon Guay's 10 points which included 4 layups, spearheaded Cary-Grove's pivotal run.
Larkin, which missed its first 12 shots of the quarter, didn't score until Adarion Mahone scored on a putback with 43 seconds left.
With Cary-Grove leading 39-23 after 3 quarters, Larkin staged a furious comeback in the final period.
After a 3-pointer by Ian Fluhler, Larkin climbed to within 6, 46-40, with 3:12 remaining. The Royals couldn't get any closer.
Four free throws by Nick Richter in the final minute sealed the win for the Trojans. Richter, who scored 15 of his game-high 23 points in the first half, also added 6 assists and 3 steals.
Richter made of 10-of-12 from the free throw line while the rest of the Trojans were 0-for-13 from the charity stripe.
"My teammates did a great job of getting the ball to me," said Richter. "Our guys off the bench did a great job of lifting us to the win."
Guay added 10 for the winners, all in the third quarter.
"We are certainly not where we want to be yet," said Schuetzle. "We are committing too many turnovers, missing too many easy shots and layups and 40 percent free throw shooting is not acceptable."
Vincent Sarangaya paced the Royals with 10 points.
"The last two games we have played poorly in the first three quarters and good in the fourth quarter," said Larkin coach Deryn Carter. "I hope that isn't a trend. We have to learn to play better defense and not give up easy baskets. On offense, we looked confused at times and panicked. We weren't patient."