HINSDALE CENTRAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC

HC SQUARED:  It's The Best Game In Town

Game Recap

HINSDALE, Ill. – After trailing for over 29 minutes of play, Burlington Central rallied in the second half to defeat Marian Catholic 56-54 in the opening round of the 2024 Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic.

Marian Catholic (9-4) built an early cushion, racing out to a 20-7 lead and carrying a 20-9 advantage into the second quarter. The Spartans led 34-24 at the half.

Burlington Central (8-3) roared back in the second half, slicing the deficit down to four points midway through the third quarter and trailing by seven (46-39) after three quarters of action.

Marian Catholic led by four points with 4:46 left to play but the Rockets closed the contest on a 9-3 run to score the two-point victory and advance to the quarterfinals.

Burlington Central finished the contest shooting 44.0 percent (22-of-50) from the floor, including 21.4 percent (3-of-14) from downtown. Marian Catholic shot 43.5 percent (20-of-46) from the floor, including 21.1 percent (4-of-19) from downtown. The Spartans turned the ball over 17 times leading to 17 points for the Rockets.

Patrick Shell paced the Rockets in the victory, pouring in a game-high 25 points while shooting 10-of-17 from the field. Caden West added 13 points while Jacob Johnson added eight points and four assists.

Landon Mays and Delan Davis led Marian Catholic with 15 points apiece. Zack Sharkey added nine points and eight rebounds while Terrell Morton scored six.

Burlington Central will face the winner of the Plainfield East/Hinsdale Central game in tomorrow’s 7:00 p.m. quarterfinal. Marian Catholic will face the loser of the Plainfield East/Hinsdale Central game in tomorrow’s consolation bracket game beginning at 12:30 p.m.