Huntley overcomes Cary-Grove
Losing twice to Huntley during Fox Valley Conference Valley Division play by a combined total of 52 points, Cary-Grove coach Ralph Schueltze realized he had to devise a different strategy for Wednesday's Class 4A Prairie Ridge regional semifinal game.
Schueltze implemented a methodical slow down offense which ate up a minute or more each possession.
For three quarters, Schueltze tactics worked as the Trojans and Red Raiders were tied at 23 heading into the final 8 minutes.
In the fourth quarter, the Red Raiders proved why they entered the postseason with an impressive 22-4 record.
Huntley, scoring the first 12 points of the final quarter, outscored Cary-Grove 21-4 in the final quarter in posting a 44-27 win.
"We did our job defensively," said Schueltze. "We wanted to hold them under 45 and we did. For three quarters, we had the game at our pace and tempo. We did a good job of being patient and we did a good job of getting some easy baskets off some backdoor cuts. But in the fourth quarter they seized momentum and proved why they are the better team."
Huntley (23-4) advances to Friday's 7:30 p.m. championship game against McHenry, which beat Crystal Lake South 61-58 in overtime in Wednesday's second semifinal. The Red Raiders beat McHenry twice this season, each time by 7 points.
To start the fourth quarter, Dylan Neukirch buried a 3-pointer to give Huntley the lead for good, 26-23, with 6:55 left in the game. Troy Miller followed with a 3-pointer, Tyler Brunschon scored 4 points on a basket and 2 free throws and Neukirch made 2 free throws as the Red Raiders opened up a 12-point lead, 35-23. Nick Richter made a pair of free throws to pull Cary-Grove (12-18) within 10, 35-25, with 3:44 left.
The Trojans couldn't get any closer as Huntley pulled away for a 17-point win.
"We knew Cary-Grove with five senior starters would come ready to play," said Huntley coach Marty Manning. "The kids in no way took Cary-Grove lightly. They did a great job for three quarters of controlling the tempo and limiting possessions in the game. We had trouble making shots and were frustrated. We got the tempo at our pace in the fourth quarter and took control."
Miller led the Red Raiders with 17 points including three 3-pointers.
"They were holding the ball every possession," said Miller. "It was very frustrating and we started forcing the issue. We finally got the momentum on our side in the fourth quarter and made some shots."
Brunschon added 12 points and Neukirch scored 9 with 8 rebounds for the winners.
Richter paced the Trojans with 15 points including a 3-pointer.
McHenry 61, CL South 58 (OT): Robbie Lemke had 13 points and Tyler Dawson and Gavin Rubin added 9 each but the Gators (15-12) had their season ended by McHenry at the Class 4A Prairie Ridge regional.