By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle
With 4 minutes, 29 seconds remaining in the game and Downers Grove South clinging to a 35-31 lead, Mustang senior Wes Hooker put on a free-throw shooting clinic over the next 90 seconds.
Hooker converted on three consecutive 1-and-1 situations and nailed six-straight free throws to extend the DGS (5-4) lead to 41-31 with 3:16 left and lead to an eventual 46-42 South win.
North senior Sama’j Henderson and Hooker (19 points, nine rebounds) would answer one another for a 43-33 Mustang lead with 2:33 left.
Trojan senior Collin Reed’s (15 points) old-fashioned three-point play brought DGN within 43-36 with two minutes left. The Trojans turned the Mustangs over and when North senior Trey Boston (12 points) buried his fourth three of the game the Mustang lead was down to four at 43-39.
The play of the game was next.
Henderson resembled Chicago Bear defensive back Eddie Jackson when he intercepted a Mustang pass and streaked toward the basket. Henderson’s lay-up was blocked off the glass by Hooker. The three officials called Hookers’ block legal and the Mustangs grabbed the rebound.
Downers Grove North, head coach Jim Thomas went ballistic on the no goal tending call and was assessed a technical foul. Mustang senior Justin Eagins (13 points, five rebounds, one block) and Hooker nailed free-throws.to finish off the Trojans, for the win – the fourth-straight, District #99 Crosstown Classic victory, for the South boys.
Downers Grove North jumped out to a 14-4 first quarter lead, paced by Reed’s nine first-half points. The Trojans led 21-13 halftime lead.
Led by Hooker and Eagins, the Mustangs blitzed the Trojans 19-3 in the third quarter. Hooker and Eagins each scored seven points as the Mustangs closed out the third quarter with a 14-0 run.
Hooker scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half was not totally focused at practice early in the week.
“Yeah I kind of lost my mind early in the week at practice,” Hooker said.” Coach (Kris) Olson straightened me out and I played well today. When Justin and I get on a roll together we are very tough to contain. It feels great to beat North for four straight years.”
Eagins also had a huge second half scoring 11 of his 13 points, in the second half.
“On the 14-0 run, we had to close out the third quarter,” he said. “Wes and I were unstoppable. Wes was outstanding for us and had the huge block, on Henderson’s steal.”
Mustang senior Timmeon Gamble. chipped in with eight points for South
“We played outstanding defense in the second half,” Olson said. “Wes and Justin were great offensively but the 19-3 third quarter was sparked by our defense. We hang our hats on our defense here at South.”