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Sports

Boys Basketball: Hinsdale South Stings Marist, Advances to Regional Final

Hinsdale South 76, Marist 55. Hornets blow early 15 point lead, but recover and go on several major runs, led by guard Phil George, to advance to the regional final against Simeon on Friday.

For a time, it looked like the game between Hinsdale South and Marist would be over before it started. The Hornets, playing in front of their home crowd, jumped to an early 18-3 lead against the Redhawks. 

The Redhawks, however, regained their offensive composure and closed the gap to 20-12 by the end of the first quarter. They played more aggressively on defense, trapping guards Phil George and Joe Petrak and forcing them to make poor decisions. 

The Redhawks also found their shooting stroke, going on a 18-3 run to start the second quarter and take a 30-23 lead. 

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The Hornets, like the Redhawks, regained their offensive composure. Center Brock Benson completed a three-point play and George scored five straight points to put the Hornets back on top 31-30. After Marist split a pair of free throws, guard Andy Nkansah scored six straight points in thirty seconds to give the Hornets a 37-31 lead. 

“Hinsdale South played very, very well,” Redhawks coach Gene Nolan said. “They handled and executed any pressure we were able to give them.” 

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It also helped that the Redhawks struggled from the floor almost all night. As a team, they shot 20-of-64 while the Hornets shot 27-of-50. 

Leading the way was Phil George, who scored 12 of his game-high 25 points in the third quarter. The Hornets outscored the Redhawks 19-5 in the quarter, throwing many passes inside and then kicking them back out to the wings. 

George, the team’s best long-range shooter, was often the recipient. He made five threes in the game. 

“We really wanted to extend the floor, getting open looks whenever we could,” George said. 

George, who is often double-teamed by opponents, got some breathing room because the much smaller Redhawks tried to keep forward Keith Reidy and center Brock Benson from getting easy baskets down in the paint. 

“I’m always looking for the kickout pass whenever I can.” 

The Hornets closed the game by shooting 10-of-13 from the free throw line, giving them a playoff win in front of their home crowd and a date with Simeon on Friday for the regional championship. 

“We know how good they are,” George said. “But coach says they gotta put their shirts on just like everyone else. We’re not gonna focus on the shirt, though. We’re just gonna play the best game we can.” 

In addition to George’s 25 points, Petrak finished with 15 points and Benson finished with 12. For the Redhawks, guards Lexus Williams and L.J. McIntosh finished with 14.

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