HINSDALE CENTRAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC

HC SQUARED:  It's The Best Game In Town

Game Recap

HINSDALE, Ill. – Panayiotis Sotos and Rico D’Alessando combined to score 42 points to lead Maine South past Rockford Auburn 69-47 and into the fifth-place game of the 2024 Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic.

The opening half was tightly contested and featured nine lead changes and one tie. Maine South (6-7) led 32-31 at the break. Rockford Auburn (8-6) hit the opening bucket of the third quarter to move in front by one, but Maine South answered back with a 17-3 run over the next six minutes to open up a 49-36 lead. The Hawks continued to pull away in the fourth quarter, coming away with the 22-point victory.

D'Alessando tallied 22 points while shooting 9-of-11 from the floor to pace Maine South. Sotos added 20 points and three assists while hitting 9-of-14 shots. Jack Sladky added a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds. Tyler Sierra added eight points and seven assists for the Hawks.

Maine South shot 62.2 percent (28-of-45) from the floor, including 44.4 percent (8-of-18) from downtown. Rockford Auburn shot 34.0 percent (18-of-53) from the floor, including 32.0 percent (8-of-25) from downtown. Maine South outscored Rockford Auburn 38-14 in the paint and won the rebounding battled 37-26.

Amir Danforth led Rockford Auburn in the loss, finishing with 27 points while shooting 10-of-24 from the floor. Royal Whitmore added six points and four rebounds.

Maine South will play in Monday’s fifth-place game at 5:15 p.m. against the winner of the Schaumburg/Burlington Central game. Rockford Auburn will face the loser of the Schaumburg/Burlington Central game on Monday at 2:00 p.m.