Palatine finally falls in OT

The fans at the Jake Tosh Holiday Classic got their money's worth in the final game of the opening round Saturday night.

The host York Dukes needed overtime to defeat the Palatine Pirates 53-46 in a back-and-forth battle.

"You have to give Palatine credit," said York coach Al Biancalana. "They came out aggressive and hungry and it took us four quarters to catch up."

Trailing 14-7 after the first quarter, the Dukes (7-3) outscored the Pirates (5-6) by an 11-5 margin in the second to cut the deficit to a point.

"We dictated the pace (at the end of the half) to be within 1," said Dukes junior guard Will Sullivan.

Sullivan (20 points, 5 of 6 free throws) and senior Evan Fendley (17 points) keyed the comeback and sealed the win for York.

The free-throw shooing of York (24-for-28) - which Biancalana considers a lost art - kept the Dukes close throughout the game and ultimately won it.

"As a team we're shooting 76 percent and we have four guys shooting over 80 percent," Biancalana said about the Dukes' foul-shooting prowess.

Fendley, who went 9 of 10 from the line, likes it when the gamei on the line.

"You have to have confidence," Fendley said. "Once you hit the first, the confidence builds."

The Pirates, who led after three quarters, were paced by sophomore guard Michael Orris (14 points, a pair of 3-pointers) and senior sharpshooter Tommy Galvan (11 points, three 3s).

"We couldnt find Galvan, and he made two big 3s," Biancalana said. "One tied the game, and the other cut the lead to 1. He did a great job of getting into rhythm.

"York is very good and well-coached, said Pirates coach Eric Millstone. "(York) has tough kids, and they made plays. Our physical effort was good. You just have to give them the credit for making the plays down the stretch."