The OPRF boys basketball team’s free throw shooting against Hinsdale Central on Friday night was in stark contrast to the Huskies’ performance earlier in the week against Evanston. It’s not difficult to figure out which game resulted in a win for OPRF.
The Huskies pushed their West Suburban (Silver) Conference record to 2-0 with a 64-52 victory over Hinsdale Central in Oak Park on Friday, and wiped out any lingering effects of a loss to Evanston earlier in the week.
Ka’Darryl Bell aided OPRF’s 66 percent shooting from the free-throw line by making all 10 of his
attempts on the night. The junior finished with 15 points, all coming in the second half. Brian Miller also scored 15 points on the night, including connecting on 6-of-10 at the charity stripe.
Josh Lang added 10 points for the Huskies, while Gabe Levin (9 rebounds) and Steven Waddell chipped in eight apiece.
Hinsdale Central (3-5, 1-2) was led by Mike Pozulp and Mike Ostojic, who scored 12 points apiece.
On Dec. 14, OPRF fell to Evanston at home 53-49 in nonconference action. The Huskies led 28-23 at halftime but let slip a four-point lead in the final quarter. The Wildkits tied the game with 2:27 left on the clock and made 10-of-12 free throws in the period to close out the win.
Lang led the Huskies with 15 points. Bell scored 12, while Steve Ramsey finished with seven.
OPRF shot 35 percent (17-of-49) from the field for the game and made 4-of-11 shots from the free-throw line in the second half, including 3-of-9 in the final period.
The Huskies, who are currently 6-2 overall, now gear up for the 80th Annual Pontiac Holiday Tournament. OPRF takes on West Aurora in the opener on Dec. 28 (1 p.m.).
“We play West Aurora and their legendary coach, Gordie Kerkman, in the first round,” said OPRF head coach Matt Maloney of Kerkman, who holds an impressive career-coaching record of 699-276. “His teams are always well coached, athletic, hard-working and disciplined.”
A win will pit the Huskies against either Schaumburg or Simeon in the second round on the following day.
The last time the Huskies won the Pontiac Holiday Tournament was 1992, when Maloney played on the team.
