Cary-Grove downs Prairie Ridge
Realizing that Sean Valentine is capable of scoring more than 20 points in any game, Cary-Grove boys basketball coach Ralph Schueltze wanted to make sure the Prairie Ridge senior didn’t single-handedly beat the Trojans.
Using a solid team defense, Cary-Grove held Valentine to only 12 points and 1 3-pointer as the fourth-seeded Trojans knocked off the fifth-seeded Wolves 49-42 in first round action of the Class 4A Cary-Grove regional Monday night.
“You can’t guard Valentine with one person,” said Schueltze. “We did a good job of pinching him and we made sure he had to kick the ball out. We didn’t give him many good shots.”
The Trojans (8-20) will play top-seeded McHenry in a semifinal game at 6 p.m. today while second-seeded Crystal Lake South plays third-seeded Jacobs at 8:10 p.m.
The Trojans seized control of the game midway through the fourth quarter.
Trailing 40-39, Ben Bradshaw’s driving layup with 3:55 left in the game gave the Trojans the lead for good, 41-40.
Cary-Grove scored 5 more unanswered points for a 6-0 run and a 46-40 lead with 2:16 left. Ryan Arquette canned a 12-footer and Zach Taylor made 4-of-4 from the free throw line as Cary-Grove led by 6.
The Trojans connected on 3 free throws in the final minute to seal the win.
“In the fourth quarter, we made shots, made free throws and rebounded the basketball,” said Schueltze. “We played well and earned the chance to play one more day.”
Taylor (8 rebounds) and Bradshaw (11 rebounds, 1 3-pointer) led the Trojans with 11 points apiece.
“Our focal point on defense was to stop Valentine,” said Bradshaw. “He is an excellent player and we did a good job on him. When we saw earlier in the season we would host the regional we thought why we couldn’t win a regional and add some banners to the wall.”
PR (8-19) was led by Valentine and Michael Bradshaw with 12 points apiece.
“Cary-Grove played very well and deserved to win,” said Prairie Ridge coach Corky Card. “They played very well defensively and did a good job with our shooters. We could have been more patient and settled for the 3 at times. The last month we were 4-4 and played very good basketball. We lost several games early in the season by over 30. We weren’t even in games. It is a testament to these kids’ character. They hung in there and played well at the end of the season.”