Kaneland can't quite dig out of 18-point hole
Even with an 18-point lead over Kaneland midway through the second quarter of Friday's boys basketball game, Rochelle coach Tim Thompson didn't feel comfortable.
"No, never feel comfortable against Kaneland," he said. "They're very well coached and those kids play really hard and they're super athletic."
Thompson was well-founded in his belief. Kaneland found its footing and nearly came all the way back to spoil Rochelle's bid for a Northern Illinois Big 12 East Conference title.
The defending conference champ, Kaneland had a shot at a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. Trever Heinle rebounded the last of Rochelle's 10 missed fourth-quarter free throws, dribbled inside half-court and let fly a running heave that hit the back of the bracket and bounced off, giving Rochelle a 59-57 victory in Maple Park. The Hubs' 7-3 conference mark tied for the title with DeKalb, which beat Sycamore on Friday to earn its share.
"I just thought we played a strong second half," said Heinle, who with brother Tyler (sister Samantha is the third Heinle triplet), Marcel Neil and Bryan VanBogaert played their last game on Kaneland's home court on senior night.
"I think we were down 18 at one point and that kind of hurt us," said Trever Heinle, who scored 13 points with 6 rebounds. "I give a lot of credit to our teammates for stepping up and fighting back."
Kaneland (15-10, 5-5) mainly stepped up against the full-court pressure of Rochelle (20-8). The Knights turned the ball over 11 times in the first quarter, falling behind 20-11, and a couple more times as Rochelle opened the second quarter on a 10-1 run. That gave plenty of looks for Grant Prusator, who hit five 3's and scored 21 points; and Matt Rosenwinkel, who hit four 3s and scored 17 points.
"It was just come out, keep fighting and chip away," said Kaneland coach Brian Johnson. "You're not going to get it all in one shot, it has to be stops on the defensive end of the floor, converting on the offensive end of the floor."
A 9-0 second quarter run got the Knights back, and they trailed 31-25 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Thomas Williams scored 8 of his 15 points to continue the comeback. Trever Heinle scored off the break to get within 41-40 at 2:51 of the third, but Rochelle center David Newton put back an offensive rebound. Rochelle led 47-42 entering the fourth quarter.
Neil joined the charge with 9 of his 12 points in the last quarter, lacing a 3 from the left baseline off Drew David's kick-out pass to trim the margin to 57-55 with 1:08 left.
Williams drove to get Kaneland within 58-57 with 43 seconds left, but Newton hit a free throw with 31.5 seconds left for the 59-57 final.
The rivals may meet again. Rochelle hosts a Class 3A sectional. Kaneland is the top seed.
Like the other seniors, Tyler Heinle will savor these last home court opportunities.
"It's sad not coming back and playing on it," he said. "Hopefully we'll have a couple more weeks of practicing here, getting ready for regionals. Come back tomorrow, practice here. I'll miss it."