HINSDALE CENTRAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC

HC SQUARED:  It's The Best Game In Town

Game Recap

HINSDALE, Ill. – Lincoln-Way Central held off Lane Tech's comeback bid in the final seconds to secure a 51-47 victory in Friday's consolation contest at the 2023 Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic.

A back-and-forth first half saw both teams keep it close throughout. Neither team led by more than three points, and the score stood at 22-21 by halftime. The most notable play of the half came at the first-quarter buzzer, when Lane Tech's Shaheed Solebo was fouled while shooting and sank all three free throws to tie it up at 14-14.

The scoreboard read 22-21 in favor of the Knights (5-8 record) at halftime. Korey Cagnolatti provided nine points and four rebounds. Both teams shot under 40 percent from the field, with the Champions going 1-for-10 on three-point attempts.

An 8-2 run over the final three minutes of the third quarter staked LWC to a 39-34 advantage. Cagnolatti tallied six points in that time by continually shaking his defenders and scoring inside.

LWC controlled most of the fourth quarter and led 47-39 with 1:25 left in the game. However, Lane Tech (9-7 record) proved difficult to put away. Parker Williams hit a three, then Solebo's steal and layup made it 47-44. Then Zach Mazanowski sank a three from the corner to pull within 49-47 with 28 seconds left.

However, LWC's Owen Novak came through in the clutch and swished a pair of free throws with 12 seconds remaining to pad the lead back to 51-47. Two-straight turnovers by Lane Tech after that sealed the result.

Cagnolatti finished with 17 points and eight rebounds. Ben McLaughlin added in 10 points of his own for LWC. Lane Tech was paced by Dalton Scantlebury's 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Lincoln-Way Central will take on Stevenson in tomorrow’s consolation match-up at 3:45 p.m. Lane Tech will play against Morgan Park in a consolation game tomorrow at 12:30 p.m.