Burlington Central controls Marengo
Burlington Central finally got to play its game.
After a slow start, the Rockets forced Marengo into an up-tempo game. The pace definitely worked to the Rockets' advantage, as they pulled away for a 70-58 Big Northern East boys basketball win in Marengo Friday night.
Ray Hunnicutt and Sam Klein scored 18 points apiece for the Rockets (11-8, 5-1).
The Rockets trailed 14-11 midway through the second quarter. They took the lead for good with an 8-1 run just before halftime, then broke the game open with a 10-0 spurt in the third period.
"We just forced them to do some things that put the tempo in our favor," said Central coach Brett Porto. "We got the game going the way we wanted, were able to use our bench.
"Then toward the end of the second quarter and into the second half, Ray and Sam took over, and we had some guys hit 3-pointers at key times."
Klein hit a pair of 3-pointers, Ryan Ritchie had 2 in the second half, and Jared Moxness made a key one in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was a wild series of charges and countercharges. Led by Zack Lundquist, who had all 14 of his points in the second half, Marengo made a series of late runs. But each time the Rockets answered.
A 9-0 spurt got the Indians within 54-45 with 5:44 left, but Ritchie answered with a 3-pointer on the next possession. The Indians got as close as 61-54 on a 3-pointer by Anthony Mallegni, but could get no closer.
Klein added 9 rebounds for the Rockets. Hunnicutt had 8 rebounds and 4 assists, and Thomas Fitzgerald 13 points and 6 rebounds for the Rockets.
Austin Brettschneider added 13 points, and Justin Gaines had 10 off the bench for Marengo (5-16, 2-5).
Boys basketball
Hampshire 58, Harvard 29: Tyler Watzlawick scored 14 points, while Shane Hernandez, Tyler Crater and Pat Azizi added 11 each as the Whip-Purs (14-4, 6-0) rolled in the Big Northern East. Hampshire led just 22-21 at halftime but outscored the host Hornets 36-8 in the second half.
St. Edward 76, Guerin 41: The Green Wave (7-14) rolled out to a 21-7 lead after one quarter and never looked back in beating Guerin in the Suburban Christian Conference. Michael Ellis had 18 points, Edward O'Halloran 14 and Ryan Murray 12 for St. Edward, which won for the second straight night.
U-High 70, Elgin Academy 37: Connor Flexman had 12 points and Jon Busano 9 for Elgin Academy (4-12, 2-7) in this Independent School League loss.
Westminster Christian 61, Rockford Christian Life 49: Ian Dutcher scored 17 points and Luke Carani and Andrew Mason added 12 each to lead the Warriors (17-4, 5-1) to a Northeast Athletic Conference win in Rockford. Brandon Cork added 10 points for Westminster.
Girls basketball
Montini 87, St. Edward 49: Class 3A No. 1 and Daily Herald No. 1 Montini (27-1, 9-0) opened up a 30-10 lead after one quarter and cruised over the Green Wave in the Suburban Christian Blue. Enza Ranallo had 21 points to lead St. Edward (17-7, 6-3), while Callie Johnson chipped in 9.
Rockford Christian Life 64, Westminster Christian 56 (OT): Hannah Graves had 19 points and 8 rebounds but the Warriors (12-9, 2-3) fell on the road in the Northeast Athletic Conference. Mckaila Hays and Katie Surratt added 9 points each for Westminster.
St. Edward-CL South canceled: Due to a scheduling conflict, St. Edward's scheduled home nonconference game against Crystal Lake South on Wednesday has been canceled. The Green Wave will conclude the regular season at home next Friday against Immaculate Conception and then host a Class 2A regional the week of Feb. 7.
Boys bowling
State finals: Streamwood senior Steven Welch had the best finish of the three area boys bowlers at the IHSA state finals in O'Fallon Friday, rolling a 6-game series of 1,262 to tie for 35th place. His high game of the day was a 245. Bartlett junior Marcus Angus tied for 51st place with a 1,227. He had a 243 for his high game.
St. Edward sophomore Dean Galati is tied for 85th place with a, 1,163. He also had a 243 high game. Defending champion Kyle Anderson of Lockport rolled a 1,497 and has a 98-pin lead over Lake Park's Aaron Adams for the individual championship. Vernon Hills leads the team standings by 163 pins over Rockford Guilford. The action concludes today.
John Radtke contributed to this report.