HINSDALE CENTRAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC

HC SQUARED:  It's The Best Game In Town

Game Recap

HINSDALE, Ill. – Maine South held off a second-half rally from Burlington Central to score a 43-41 win and take home the fifth-place trophy at the 2024 Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic.

Maine South (7-7) jumped out to a 25-16 lead at the half and led by as many as 11 points early in the third quarter before Burlington Central (9-5) mounted a comeback. The Rockets managed to tie the game at 41-41 with 1:15 remaining after a layup from Patrick Shell. Free throws from Rico D’Alessandro and Panayiotis Sotos in the closing minute gave Maine South the victory.

D’Alessandro led Maine South in the victory, finishing with 16 points while shooting 7-of-9 from the floor. Sotos and Tyler Sierra scored seven points apiece for the Hawks.

Maine South shot 35.7 percent (15-of-42) from the floor, including 28.6 percent (6-of-21) from three-point range. Burlington Central shot 32.6 percent (14-of-43) from the filed, but just 18.2 percent (2-of-11) from downtown.

Shell led Maine South in the loss with 11 points while Jacob Johnson recorded a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds. Lucas Kerr added nine points for the Rockets.

D’Alessandro was named to the all-tournament team for Maine South after finished the tournament after averaging 20.8 points per game.