Saints almost snatch 1st win but fall in OT
In the first game for the St. Charles East boys basketball team at the 35th Annual Jack Tosh Holiday Classic, it was difficult to tell which team was undefeated and which team had not yet won a game.
The Saints led undefeated Riverside-Brookfield just about wire-to wire, building the lead to as much as 11 points late in the third quarter. But the aptly named Bulldogs put a tenacious full-court press on St. Charles East and received two incredibly clutch 3-pointers from Dan Oswald in the last 10 seconds of regulation that put the game into overtime.
Sean McGonagill then scored 10 points in the overtime session to give Riverside-Brookfield the 84-80 win in Elmhurst Friday.
"Our scouting report said (No.) 22 (McGonagill) and (No.) 32 (Oswald) can't get a shot off because if they do there is a good chance of it going down," said St. Charles East coach Brian Clodi. "I think this was one of the best games played by both teams and guys were fighting. It came down to 8.6 seconds left and we just had to get it in and squeeze it, so that was disappointing. They got the loose ball and their kid buried a 3."
St. Charles East (0-9) got and outstanding effort from senior forward Kevin Senechalle. Senechalle had a game-high 31 points and 19 rebounds as well as blocking 3 shots. In the third quarter as the Saints extended their lead, Senechalle scored or had the assist on every basket but one in the quarter.
But as Riverside-Brookfield turned up the pressure in the backcourt, Senechalle got fewer opportunities in the paint in the fourth quarter and overtime.
"Obviously Kevin brings it every night and he is a special, special player," said Clodi. "We have to be able to work it and get him a million touches. We keep telling our guards that we want two guys on them because then you can make a play against the press. The ball should go to the middle and we can have a three-on-two so that's something we have to work on."
The Saints also received a solid game from Zach Scott, who came out firing, hitting four 3-pointers in the first half on his way to scoring 24 points in the game.
"This was definitely Zach's best game," said Clodi. "He was shooting the 3 and he was getting to the rim making plays going down the lane. He had a great all-around game."
St. Charles East had a couple attempts from point-blank range to tie the game at the end of overtime but they just didn't fall.
"We feel as a coaching staff and as a team we took about 18 steps forward with our energy and how we played," said Clodi. "It just came down to where they made a couple more plays late in the game than we did. I just want a win so badly for these guys because they are putting in the time and we want the payoff of a 'W'."
The Saints continue tournament play against Lyons Township today at 1:30 in the South gymnasium at York.