HINSDALE CENTRAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC

HC SQUARED:  It's The Best Game In Town

Game Recap

HINSDALE, Ill. – Four players reached double figures in scoring to lead Marian Catholic into the semifinals of the 2023 Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic with a 69-61 win over Niles North.

Marian Catholic (9-4) scored the game’s first four points and never trailed in the contest, leading wire-to-wire. The Spartans led 21-11 after one quarter and 34-25 at the half. Niles North (11-2) trailed by 14 in the fourth quarter only to rally, closing to within four points with 1:17 remaining, but the Spartans sealed the game with four free throws in the final minute.

James Bullock paced the Spartans with 22 points and six rebounds in the victory. Bullock shot 9-of-15 from the floor in the victory. Jonah Weathers added 16 points and seven rebounds while Delan Davis scored 13 for Marian Catholic. Zack Sharkey added 12 points and seven boards in the victory. Marian Catholic shot 49.0 percent (24-of-49) from the floor and outscored Niles North 34-16 in the paint.

Kaidan Chatham led Niles North in the loss, totaling 20 points and 17 rebounds, finishing one rebound shy of matching the tournament record of 18. Yaris Irby added 19 points while Hunter Gawron added 17 points and seven rebounds for Niles North.

With the win, Marian Catholic earned a trip to tomorrow’s first semifinal at 7:00 p.m. They’ll face the winner of the Brother Rice/Rockford Auburn game. Niles North will place in a fifth-place semifinal game tomorrow at 3:45 p.m. against the loser of Brother Rice/Rockford Auburn.