Prairie Ridge nips Hampshire

Bob Barnett's frustration was evident.

With Hampshire leading by 5 points, 33-28, with 4:57 left in the game, the Whip-Purs' coach watched with great disgust as host Prairie Ridge outscored his team 10-3 to pull out a 38-36 win in Fox Valley Conference boys basketball crossover action in Crystal Lake Thursday night.

"It is the same scenario again," said Barnett. "We have a lead in the fourth quarter and can't hold on. It seems like the bounces and the breaks aren't going our way. But you have to create your own luck and breaks. I have coached 25 years and have never seen anything like this."

PR (2-5) rode the hot hand of senior Sean Valentine down the stretch to win the game.

Down by 5, Valentine scored on a layup in the lane and nailed a 3-pointer as the Wolves tied the score at 33 with 3:47 left in the game.

Hampshire (2-6) grabbed a 3-point lead, 36-33, with 2:26 left as Tyler Crater buried a 3-pointer. Those were the last points the Whip-Purs would score in the contest.

Two baskets by Valentine and a free throw by Michael Bradshaw gave the Wolves a 38-36 advantage with 4.7 seconds left.

The Whip-Purs set up a last second play but Ryan Cork's 3-pointer was short and the Wolves escaped with a narrow 2-point win.

Valentine, who scored 15 in the second half, 9 in the fourth quarter, paced Prairie Ridge with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. He was the lone PR player with more than 4 points.

"I got in more of a rhythm shooting the ball in the second half," said Valentine. "The coaches told me at halftime to shoot with more control. We stepped up the defense in the second half. This is a big win against a very good team."

Prairie Ridge coach Corky Card praised Valentine and his team's effort especially in the second half.

"We are really improving as a team the last couple of games," said Card. "We played much better on the defensive end in the second half and Sean was huge at the end to win the game. Hampshire is an excellent team with a good inside and outside game."

Crater, who had three 3-pointers, along with Sean Hernandez (8 rebounds) led the Whip-Purs with 10 points. Tyler Watzlawick, who was plagued with foul trouble all night, scored 6 points with 8 rebounds and 3 blocked shots for Hampshire.