Trojans' Fall in Consolation Title Game

The second day of the Crystal Lake South Shootout is a win or go home situation for each game a team plays.

Apparently, the Trojans boys basketball team didn’t want to go home right away as Cary won their first three games of the day before losing in the consolation championship game to Rockford Jefferson 58-47.

Cary fell behind early in the title game as Jefferson ran past the tiring Trojans in both teams’ fourth game of the day before rallying to take a 25-20 lead. Jefferson however went on a 7-2 run to end the first half for a 27-all tie at the break.

In the second half, Jefferson took control early on and didn’t let up to win the consolation bracket title. Jake Bianchi led Cary with 15 points while Casey Snodgrass and Steve Plazak each had six points. Cary coach Ralph Schuetzle said the team began to tire in their final game of the tournament.

“Yeah we ran out (of energy) but their two players really stepped up, they were too athletic for us and too skilled,” Schuetzle said. “Four games for us without two of our starters, I think we can play with that team if we have our full team. We ran out of gas and their players stepped it up and that’s just how it goes.”

The Cary-Grove day started bright and early at 10 a.m. with a 39-30 win over Grayslake North. The Trojans gained an early 23-13 lead on the Knights and took a 23-16 lead into halftime.

Cary extended their lead to 12 late in the second half in cruising to the win. Ryan Arquette had 11 points to lead C-G in the victory. After a two-hour break, Cary came out on fire and pounded Woodstock 51-27.

The Trojans were in early control with a 19-8 lead midway through the first half and led 24-12 at the break.

The second half saw Cary pour it on, outscoring Woodstock 27-15 in the second half. Eric Graham and Zach Taylor each had 11 points while Arquette added ten to help advance Cary to the consolation semifinal against Prairie Ridge.

The consolation semifinal would be Cary’s most difficult game of the day in a 31-30 overtime victory.

After taking an eight-point lead into halftime, Prairie Ridge stormed back and tied the game late in the game and would force overtime. With the overtime being first team that scored won, getting possession was a key factor.

After a Prairie Ridge missed shot, Cary went down to the other end where Plazak got fouled. Plazak, who had trouble making free-throws all day, made the free-throw, pumped his fist and Cary was on to the title game.

Bianchi led Cary with seven points while Arquette had five and Plazak had four points.

Overall for the day, Arquette led the Trojans with 29 points while Bianchi had 26 points, Taylor had 23 and Plazak added 22 during Cary’s four-game marathon day.