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Sports

Tigers' Great Season Closes in Woodstock

Crystal Lake Central drops an overtime game in sectional to end campaign

Sure the record will show the Tigers from let a 14-point first half lead disappear to end their splendid season Tuesday night at the Woodstock North Sectional. But even this disappointing 71-70 overtime loss to Rockford East can't take away from a marvelous campaign by this team's seniors.

Jake Chrystal leaves the building after leading all scorers with 24 points in the final game. This hard-charging senior was most capable of taking games over with his ability to drive to the hoop.

Joe Pijanowski: Number zero on this team improved as much as anyone as the season progressed. He wasn't afraid to mix it up inside.

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John Nemcek: The designated stopper on defense for the FVC champions. He could also be counted on for key buckets.

Matt Gleixner: In many ways this senior played bigger than his 6-7 size. A potent rebounder and inside scorer.

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Alex Polk: Became a strong rebounder off the bench. Gave the team plenty of energy.

The senior class also included Zach Brandwein and Matt Wielomek.

"It's always tough to say good-bye to the seniors,'' said CLC coach Rich Czeslawski. "This group was so tight."

The Tigers won 24 games. Included in the run were a conference championship and regional crown.

"It's one I'll remember for the rest of my life,'' Nemcek said. "And I wouldn't have wanted to go through it without these guys."

On an off-balance three-point play from Chrystal, the Tigers threatened to blow Rockford East right off the court. There were four minutes to play before halftime and the Tigers led 24-10. Chase Cane had a huge first half with 14 of his 16 points.

"We had that 14-point lead because we executed our offense,'' Czeslawski said. "And then we couldn't stop them. We got beat on rebounding. We didn't keep them off the glass."

The E-Rabs from Rockford caught the Tigers by the third quarter but never opened more than a four-point lead the rest of the way.

Even with that four-point advantage, Rockford East surrendered the lead in the overtime session. Chrystal scored the final 5 points of the season. His three-point play gave Central a 70-69 lead with 22 seconds to play.

"Nothing was going through my head,'' Chrystal said. "But I knew I had to get to the basket. Right now, I'm only disappointed. But I know we were regional champs."

Both Gleixner and Pijanowski poured in 10 points each. Nemcek had a clutch 3-pointer in the overtime session and finished with 6 points.

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