HINSDALE CENTRAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC

HC SQUARED:  It's The Best Game In Town

Game Recap

HINSDALE, Ill. – Vincas Buzelis scored 40 points, including hitting the game-winning free throws in the final seconds, while leading Hinsdale Central to a 78-77 victory over Niles North and into the championship game of the 2024 Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic.

The incredibly close contest featured 14 ties and 13 lead changes. Hinsdale Central (78-77) led 37-32 at the half, but Niles North (11-2) answered back in the second half, outscoring the Red Devils 23-14 in the third quarter and building an eight-point lead with 6:30 remaining in the contest.

Hinsdale Central responded with a 10-0 run to take the lead with two minutes remaining. Reid Olson gave Niles North a 68-67 lead after hitting a three-pointer with 1:07 left. A free throw from Yaris Irby gave the Vikings a 69-67 lead, but Eric Kozys sent the game to overtime by hitting a layup with nine seconds remaining.

In the extra period, the game remained tied at 74-74 with two minutes remaining. A bucket by Buzels gave Hinsdale Central the lead with 1:27 left, but Olson splashed home another three-pointer to give Niles North a 77-76 lead with 1:14 remaining. A pair of free throws from Buzelis with seven seconds left proved to be the difference for Hinsdale Central.

Buzelis led all scorers with 40 points, shooting 15-of-24 from the floor. He added seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. Dillon Orozco added 14 points and six rebounds while Kozys finished with nine points.

Hinsdale Central shot 51.9 percent (28-of-54) from the floor, including 40.0 percent (6-of-15) from three-point range. Niles North shot 42.9 percent (27-of-63) from the field, including 38.5 percent (10-of-26) from downtown.

Olson led Niles North with 23 points and four assists while Irby finished with 22 points. Hunter Gawron added 12 points and nine rebounds for the Vikings.

Hinsdale Central will take on Brother Rice in Monday’s championship game at 8:30 p.m. Niles North will face Lane Tech in Monday’s third-place game at 7:00 p.m.