HINSDALE CENTRAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC

HC SQUARED:  Building a New Tradition of Basketball at Its Best
 

2021 GAME 32 RECAP: HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR vs. OSWEGO EAST

Box Score

HINSDALE, Ill. – Homewood-Flossmoor proved unbeatable as the Vikings won the 2021 Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic Championship over Oswego East 62-44 on Wednesday night.

An early flashpoint in the game came two minutes in when Oswego East forward Mekhi Lowery picked up his second foul. With Lowery on the bench, Oswego East struggled to match-up with Homewood-Flossmoor's superior length and height. Nashawn Holmes was a significant thorn in the Wolves' side as the guard outscored the opposing team by himself in the first quarter (10 to 9.) Lee Marks III tallied seven points in the quarter and H-F leapt out to a 19-9 lead.

The second quarter played out evenly with 10 points for each side. Holmes increased his point total to 15 by halftime to give his team a 29-19 lead at the break.

Both sides came out cold in the third quarter, hitting less than 23 percent of their field goals combined. Once again, H-F increased its advantage by three more points and was still comfortably in control at 41-28 heading into the fourth quarter.

After a quiet first half, H-F forward Christian Meeks made his presence known in the paint in the final 16 minutes of play. The big man in the middle muscled his way to 15 second-half points. He drew contact near the basket constantly, sank his free throws and threw down an alley-oop dunk for good measure in the final two minutes.

With Meeks rolling, Homewood-Flossmoor would not be caught. Oswego East never got within 14 points of the Vikings in the fourth quarter, and H-F secured its second-straight HCHC title.

Homewood-Flossmoor improved its season record to 8-2. Meeks was named the Tournament MVP and Holmes garnered a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Holmes finished with a game-high 21 points and grabbed five boards. Meeks collected 18 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Marks III filled the stat sheet with 13 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. H-F outscored Oswego East 36-20 in points in the paint and 14-3 on the fast break. The Vikings shot 44.9 percent from the field, 14.3 percent from the three-point arc (2-14) and 80 percent from the free throw line (16-20).

The Wolves (14-1 record) absorbed their first loss of the season. Lowery was picked to the All-Tournament Team. Oswego East struggled offensively, making 28.8 percent of itss field goals, 14.3 percent of its threes (3-21) and 68.8 percent of its free throws (11-16). DeVon Oregon scored 16 points to go with five rebounds and three steals. Lowery and Patrick Robinson tallied eight points and six rebounds each.