HINSDALE CENTRAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC

HC SQUARED:  It's The Best Game In Town

Game Recap

HINSDALE, Ill. – Dillon Orozco and Vincas Buzelis combined to score 42 points to lead Hinsdale Central past Burlington Central 70-65 and into the semifinals of the 2024 Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic.

The opening half featured six ties and five lead changes as Hinsdale Central (10-2) led 14-13 after the first quarter. Burlington Central (8-4) outscored Hinsdale 19-14 in the second quarter to build a 32-28 lead at the half.

Burlington Central opened its lead to seven points midway through the third quarter before the Red Devils stormed back. Hinsdale Central closed the quarter on a 10-2 run to lead 47-46 after three quarters. Leading by one with seven minutes left in the contest, Hinsdale Central rattled off an 11-1 run to open up a 60-49 lead. Burlington Central came no closer than five points the rest of the way as Hinsdale Central advanced.

Orozco led Hinsdale Central and all scorers with 22 points, shooting 8-of-11 from the floor, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Buzelis finished with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds to go along with five assists. Dillon Dell came off the bench to score 11 while Eric Kozys added seven points for the Red Devils.

Hinsdale Central shot 53.2 percent (25-of-47) from the floor in the victory, including 45.5 percent (10-of-22) from three-point range.

All five starters reached double figures in scoring for the Rockets. Caden West led the way with 16 points while Lucas Kerr, Patrick Morgan and Jacob Johnson all scored 12. Patrick Shell added 11 points in the loss for the Rockets.

Hinsdale Central will face the winner of the Niles North/Schaumburg game in tomorrow’s semifinal at 8:30 p.m. Burlington Central will take on the loser of the Niles North/Schaumburg game in a consolation game tomorrow at 5:15 p.m.