Ingebritsen ignites an Elk Grove win
Tyler Ingebrigtsen erupted for 14 of his game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter to spark Elk Grove to a 57-43 Mid-Suburban East boys basketball victory Saturday in the final game of the Centennial Classic sponsored by District 214 at the Forest View Educational Center.
The day of basketball helped celebrate District 214's 100th anniversary, and the Grens' win gave Anthony Furman his 100th coaching victory at Elk Grove.
The victory allows Elk Grove (15-5, 6-2) to remain 1 game behind East leader Hersey with 2 games remaining.
"We're 1 game back, and we don't control our own fate," Ingebrigtsen said.
Having lost twice to Hersey, the Huskies would own the tiebreaker should there be a tie in the standings.
That didn't stop the three-year starter from taking over when the Grens needed him the most.
Elk Grove entered the fourth quarter clinging to a 37-34 lead created when Isaiah Curiel and Dan Hadler (13 points) made 3-point baskets in the final minute of the third quarter.
Ingebrigtsen (10 rebounds, 3 blocked shots) made a pair of 3-pointers and 11 of Elk Grove's last 13 points in the final 2:26 of the game. He finished 9 of 15 from the field, 3 of 4 from behind the arc.
"I thought we played with more confidence in the second half," Furman said. "It helps if you're only giving 11 points a quarter when you're adjusting on offense."
Both teams struggled to score in the first half. Meadows led 11-9 after the first quarter, thanks to Jared Murphy's 7 points. He finished with a team-best 18 to go with 6 rebounds.
Elk Grove won the second quarter defensive struggle 8-4 and held a 17-15 at halftime.
"The defense was outstanding in the first half, and that was a huge factor in the game," Furman said. "It took us a half to settle in on offense."
"For the first three quarters, we did a nice job. We did what we wanted to do," said Meadows coach Kevin Katovich. "The shots weren't falling. We had some good looks."
The Mustangs (9-12, 4-4) shot 16 of 48 from the field, 3 of 15 from behind the arc. Matt Wojcik scored 13 and Jack Schoessling 9 for Meadows.
Elk Grove got a spark from the play of Tyree Howard, who scored 10 points on 4 of 6 shooting, and he added 4 assists.