HINSDALE CENTRAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC

HC SQUARED:  It's The Best Game In Town

Game Recap

HINSDALE, Ill. – Morgan Park withstood a last-second shot and held off Morton 45-44 at the buzzer in the consolation bracket on day two of the 2024 Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic.

The opening quarters saw both teams struggle to find their offensive rhythm. Part of Morton's defensive strategy was to double Morgan Park point guard Nasir Rankin once he got across half court. Half of Morgan Park's shots came from deep, as the Mustangs constantly swung the ball around the perimeter to the open man. However, Morgan Park only shot 30 percent from the field in the half, with seven different players registering points.

Morton, meanwhile, shot only 24 percent on field goals and turned the ball over 13 times thanks in large part to Morgan Park's press defense in the backcourt. Morton scored only two points in the second quarter and Morgan Park went into the halftime break with a 24-13 advantage on the scoreboard.

In the third quarter, Morton began to find its legs, outscoring Morgan Park 13-7 in the period to chop the deficit to 31-26. Both sides found their offensive stroke in the fourth quarter, shooting a combined 54 percent on field goals. Chas Ontiveros hit a corner three and Owen Gansz scored an offensive putback in the paint to draw Morton within one point in the final minute. After some sloppy turnovers by Morgan Park, Morton had the ball with the chance to win in the final seconds. But the contested three in the corner missed wide to preserve the victory for Morgan Park.

Morgan Park (8-4 record) converted 33 percent of its field goals, 29 percent of its three-pointers (7-24) and 75 percent of its free throws (6-8). Rankin compiled 10 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Pierre Stevenson added nine points.

Morton (1-11 record) made 36 percent from the field, 21 percent from long range (4-19) and 55 percent from the charity stripe (6-11). Ontiveros was the top producer on the court with 16 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Donovan Johnson and Devyn Medina tallied seven points each.

Morgan Park will face Marian Catholic in Saturday’s consolation semifinal at 2:00 p.m. Morton will take on Plainfield East in tomorrow's consolation game at 11:00 a.m.