Hoffman Estates bests Prairie Ridge
Hoffman Estates entered Saturday night's game against Prairie Ridge searching for their first win.
The Hawks found it.
Junior Austin Terry scored 7 of his game high 12 points in the final quarter leading Hoffman Estates (1-2) to a 42-38 victory over Prairie Ridge at the Crystal Lake Central Coaches vs. Cancer Thanksgiving Tournament.
Hoffman Estates entered the final quarter leading 25-21, but the Hawks went 9-of-15 from the free throw line in the final quarter to pull away from the Wolves.
“We hit some crucial free throws,” said Hoffman coach Bill Wandro whose team finished 15-for-27 from the line. “It wasn't a perfect game by any means, but they gave a lot of energy out there tonight and I was happy with their defensive effort.”
Both teams started out cold offensively; with Hoffman taking a 5-3 lead entering the second quarter.
Senior Matt Pahl scored 6 of his 10 points in the second quarter in helping Hoffman secure a 15-13 halftime advantage.
Hoffman Estates' defense limited Prairie Ridge to 8-for-32 shooting, including holding the Wolves to 2 field goals in the opening half.
“Defensively they're good,” said Prairie Ridge coach Corky Card. “It's probably as good a defensive team we'll see all year.”
Hoffman entered the final quarter clinging to a 25-21 advantage, but the Hawks found their touch in the final eight minutes.
Senior Joey Havel (6 points) supplied the Hawks with a lift off the bench by hitting on a drive to open the final quarter. Pahl then added a score inside to give the Hawks a quick 8 point cushion.
But Prairie Ridge (1-2) responded with a steal by Sean Valentine, who fed Mac Curtis (7 points) for an easy layin to narrow the Wolves' deficit to 3 at 30-27 with 4:22 remaining.
Terry started a 10-5 run for Hoffman with a steal and layin, and Pahl finished the stretch with 2 free throws to give the Hawks a commanding 42-32 lead with 33 seconds remaining.
“We just wanted to come out in the fourth quarter with energy,” said Terry, who went 5-for-6 from the line in the final quarter. “That's what we preach at practice. We came out and showed what it takes to win.”
Junior Alex Bond (8 points) also gave the Hawks a lift with his energy on both ends of the court.
Valentine (10 points) and James Stawarz ( 9 points) aided the Wolves' attack.